A critical assessment on strategies to detect and combat systemic corruption in the Namibian Police Force

Abstract

Systemic corruption presupposes the commission of corrupt practices in an organised manner, at a scale and intensity, that is unparallel to other types of corruption. The assumption is that the deficiency in regulatory framework, policies, structure, political environment, and weak control systems in the Namibian Police Force exacerbates the commission of systemic corruption. In this context, police officers may use the cover of these deficiencies to commit corrupt practices. The point of departure, for this study, was to recognises that corruption, in the Namibian Police Force, was perversive, prevalent and it was harmful to the police organisation, society and economy. Against this backdrop, the main objective of this study was to critically assess the strategies that were adopted to combat and detect systemic corruption in the Namibian Police Force. The study adopted qualitative methodology, utilising empirical research design and semi-structured interview, that were explorative in nature. The data was analysed using content/thematic analysis techniques. Derived from the analysed data, the study found several deficiencies in the strategies that were adopted by the Namibian Police Force. The deficiencies included lack of transparency, lack of access to information, ineffective recruitment, and selection procedures, outdated policies, and influence of colonial police culture. Premised on these identified deficiencies, the study made several recommendations, among others, the adoption of both direct and indirect anti-systemic corrupt practices strategies and the introduction of a holistic approach. The basis for recommending a holistic approach as found by this study was that there is not a single strategy that is all-embracing in fighting systemic corruption. Therefore, a combination of strategies may be the best option in combating and detecting systemic corruption.