African Police Resource Network

Zambia

Country Background
Zambia became independent from the United Kingdom in 1964 and became a republic.  A new Constitution was enacted in 1973 which secured the domination of the only legal party in Zambia – the United National Independence Party (UNIP).  In 1990, due to protests and demands for a multi-party democracy the then President Kenneth Kaunda ended the political monopoly of UNIP.  A new Constitution was enacted in 1991 and amended again in 1996.   In 1991 multiparty elections resulted in the victory of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) with President Levy Mwanawasa becoming president in 2001. He was re-elected in the 2006 election. 

Zambia Police
The Zambia Police Force, which has changed its name to the Zambia Police Service, falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is headed by an Inspector General of Police. 

Extract from:Berg, J. (2005) Police Accountability in Southern African Commonwealth Countries. Cape Town: Institute of Criminology

Population from the Census 2000 was 9,885,591. http://www.zamstats.gov.zm

14,689 police employed in  2006. Population estimate 11.5 m.
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78764.htm

Please find a list of all documents in our database relevant to Zambia. Use the checkbox next to each line to expand more detail about the file, including the option to download.

Category	Date	Title	Detail
Country Websites	2007	The World Factbook: Zambia
Description: Up to date information giving an overview of the country, its geography, demographics, government, economy, communications, transportation and military. A map is included. Author: Central Intelligence Agency Source: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/za.html
Legislation	1995	Zambia Police Act. Chapter 107 Volume 8 of the Laws of the Republic of Zambia
Description: An Act to provide for the organisation, functions and discipline of the Zambia Police Force and of special constables and for matters incidental thereto. This has been amended by the Zambia Police (Amendment) Act number 14 of 1999. Volume 8 of the LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA 1995 Edition (Revised) includes: Chapter 106. Defence Act Chapter 107. Zambia Police Act Chapter 108. Emergency Powers Act Chapter 109. Zambia Security Intelligence Service Act Chapter 110. Firearms Act Author: Republic of Zambia Source: http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/CAFRAD/UNPAN004896.pdf
Legislation	1991	The Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, 1991 (as Amended to 1996)
Description: A new constitution is being prepared for enactment in 2008. Relevant section to the Zambian Police in the present constitution: Article 103 The Zambia Police Force (1) There shall be a police force to be known as the Zambia Police Force and such other police forces as Parliament may by law prescribe. (2) Subject to the other provisions of this Constitution, every police force in Zambia shall be organised and administered in such a manner and shall have such functions as Parliament may by law prescribe. (3) The Zambia Police Force shall be nationalistic, patriotic, professional, disciplined, competent and productive; and its members shall be citizens of Zambia and of good character. Article 104 Functions of Zambia Police Force The functions of the Zambia Police Force shall include the following: (a) to protect life and property; (b) to preserve law and order; (c) to detect and prevent crime; (d) to co–operate with the civilian authority and other security organs established under this Constitution and with the population generally. Article 105 Parliament to Regulate Zambia Police Force Parliament shall make laws regulating the Zambia Police Force, and in particular, providing for— (a) the organs and structures of the Zambia Police Force; (b) the recruitment of persons into the Zambia Police Force from every district of Zambia; (c) terms and conditions of service of members of the Zambia Police Force; and (d) the regulation generally of the Zambia Police Force. Author: The Republic of Zambia Source: www.icrc.org/.../9c25efbb761a219bc1257161004489da/$FILE/Zambia%20Constitution%20-%20EN.pdf
Publications	2006	Zambia Police Service
Description: "ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE (Section from the Republic of Zambia website) Under the Zambia Police Service reforms, the Zambia Police Act was amended (by the Zambia Police (Amendment) Act number 14 of 1999) to provide for the; Establishment of Victim Support Units in all Police Stations; Establishment of Police Public Complaints Authority whose members have since been appointed and is now operational; and Designation of Custody Officers. The training curriculum at the Police Training College, which also trains other law enforcement agencies, has been reviewed to include human rights law as a subject. The aim is to ensure that more police receive training in human rights and thus lessen cases of police human rights violations. The entry qualification for police officers has been changed to a Grade 12 full certificate. Government has upgraded and refurbished the Zambia Police Forensic laboratory with a view to handle crime investigations professionally and scientifically. Victim Support Unit The Victim Support Unit was established in 1994 in line with the Zambia Police Reforms Programme. The Unit is mandated to deal with issues involving vulnerable persons in the society who mainly include women, children and aged persons. It is also mandated to deal with issues concerning property grabbing from widows, widowers and orphans. The Unit equally provides counselling and empathy to victims of rape, incest, defilement and child abuse. It also reports on perpetrators of such offences so as to enable arrests and prosecution. The Unit is organised at four levels, that is, at Police Headquarters, Division Level, District Level and Station Level. The Victim Support Unit has had positive impact on society. It has successfully intervened in cases involving property grabbing (which were rampant), rape, defilement, incest, assault cases/domestic violence (wife battering). The Unit also spearheaded a vigorous educational and sensitisation campaign, which is aimed at changing peoples attitudes and mindsets towards vulnerable persons. Because of its populous impact, the Unit has received assistance from some Co–operating partners and Non Governmental Organisations. UNICEF donated a motor vehicle for use in Victim Support Unit operations and other logistical support. The Danish Embassy donated two motor vehicles and supported capacity building programmes within the Unit. The support enabled the Unit conduct a series of workshops for police officers in the country. Some bicycles were also purchased for the operations of the Victim Support Unit. Officers were trained in investigations prosecution and counselling of victims of crime. Support in this area came from Young Womens Christian Association and Women in Law in Southern Africa. Custody Officer Following amendments to the Zambia Police Act, Custody officers hold the position of officer in charge. They ensure that: – (a) a person in police custody is treated in a decent and humane way; (b) a person in police custody who requires medical attention has access to medical facilities; (c) police cells or other places used for the custody of persons are in clean and habitable conditions; (d) necessary provisions and other facilities used by a person in custody are in hygienic condition. (e) record the name, the offence for which the person is arrested and the state and condition of the person; and (f) make such recommendations as to that persons well–being as are necessary, including the requirement for that person to have medical attention. It is a requirement that every person placed in police custody must first be presented to the Custody officer before detention. This fortunately is taking place in the country, although there might be one or two isolated cases where persons who have been detained have not met with the Custody officer. Police Professional Standard Unit This Unit was established in July 2003 to investigate corruption, arbitrary arrests and detention and other unprofessional behaviour within the Police service. The Unit has power to recommend action against any implicated officer(s) and is under the direct authority of the senior police prosecutions officer. The Unit has since started its operations and dealt with a considerable amount of cases". Author: Republic of Zambia Source: http://www.statehouse.gov.zm/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=41
Publications	2007	Zambia: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2006
Description: The country report on Zambia examines the respect for human rights that have been violated by the State including the State Police. Author: U.S. Department of State Publisher: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Source: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78764.htm