Botswana Police Act
Botswana Police Act
POLICE
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
Introduction and Interpretation
SECTION
1. Short title
2. Interpretation
PART II
Constitution and Administration
PART III
Appointment, Attestation, Service and Discharge
PART IV
Powers, Duties and Privileges of Police Officers
PART V
Discipline
PART VI
Appeals
37. Appeals
38. Appeals procedure
39. Application of section 31 to proceedings before Police Council
PART VII
Rewards and Fines Fund
PART VIII
Special Constables
PART IX
Police Reserve
PART X
General
PART XI
Police Council
PART XII
Miscellaneous
65. Regulations
66. Botswana Police College to be a tertiary institution
Schedule
Act 29, 1978,
S.I. 157, 1978,
Act 18, 1980,
Act 15, 2002.
An Act to provide for the enrolment, discipline, control and administration of the
Botswana Police Service; to provide for Special constables and for a Police Reserve and
a Police Council; and for matters incidental thereto and connected therewith.
PART I
Introduction and Interpretation (ss 1-2)
1. Short title
2. Interpretation
"Branch Commander" means any officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner and
above, who is in command of a branch of the Service;
"pay" means the salary of a police officer in his substantive rank but does not include any
allowances which have not been declared to be pensionable;
"police camp" means an area set aside for occupation by police officers;
"police council" means the Police Council established under section 62;
"police officer" includes a special constable and a member of the Reserve Service but
does not include a civilian employee;
"review authority" means the appropriate review authority under section 29;
"senior officer" means any police officer of or above the rank of Assistant Superintendent;
"Service" means the Botswana Police Service as constituted under this Act, and any
reference in any enactment to the Botswana Police Force shall be construed as a reference to
Botswana Police Service.
PART II
Constitution and Administration (ss 3-7)
(1) The Service shall consist of the Commissioner of Police and such numbers of those
ranks specified in the Schedule as the President may from time to time direct, and police
officers shall rank for seniority in the order shown therein.
(2) The President may, by order published in the Gazette, amend the Schedule.
4. Commissioner
(1) The Commissioner shall, subject to this Act and the general direction of the President,
have the command, superintendence, direction and control of the Service and shall be
responsible to the President for maintaining peace and good order throughout Botswana.
(2) The Commissioner may, subject to this Act, issue or approve such orders for the general
control and administration of the Service as he may deem necessary.
(1) Any power conferred on the Commissioner by this Act may, subject to the directions of
the Commissioner, be exercised by the Deputy Commissioner.
(2) Any power vested in the Commissioner by any enactment, may be delegated to an
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officer of or above the rank of Superintendent.
(1) The Service shall be employed in and throughout Botswana to protect life and property,
prevent and detect crime, repress internal disturbances, maintain security and public
tranquillity, apprehend offenders, bring offenders to justice, duly enforce all written laws with
which it is directly charged and generally maintain the peace.
(2) For the performance of their duties under this Act police officers may carry arms.
(3) The Service shall perform such military duties within Botswana as may be required of it
under the authority of the President as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
(4) The control of the police in any place shall be vested in such police officer as may be
appointed by the Commissioner to be in charge thereof; such officer shall carry out the orders
of the Commissioner in all matters subject to this Act.
The President may, in time of war or other emergency, employ the Service or part thereof in
the defence of Botswana:
Provided that the Service or such part thereof when so employed shall remain, for the
purpose of administration and discipline, under the command of the Commissioner.
PART III
Appointment, Attestation, Service and Discharge (ss 8-15)
(a) the Permanent Secretary to the President shall, after consultation with the
Commissioner, appoint fit and proper persons to hold the rank of Deputy
Commissioner;
(ii) to hold any civilian office in the Botswana Police Service, of a Grade up to
and including Grade D1,
Provided that the first two years of the service of any person appointed to be a member of
the Service, or such longer period as the appointing authority shall direct, shall be on probation
and any service spent in a prescribed organisation may count towards this period.
(3) An appointing authority may appoint a police officer to act in a rank senior to his
substantive appointment, and where the period of such acting appointment exceeds 28 days
such officer shall, during such acting appointment, receive salary at the scale applicable to the
senior rank at such incremental level as the appointing authority may decide.
9. Declaration on attestation
(1) Every person on joining the Service shall make and sign a declaration before a senior
officer in such form as may be prescribed, and at the same time shall acknowledge his
appointment as a member of the Service on such form as may be prescribed.
(2) Every person shall, before making the declaration required by subsection (1), answer
truly any questions put to him as to his previous service, academic qualifications, career and
employment and as to whether he has at any time been convicted of any offence punishable
by the laws of Botswana or the laws of any other country.
(3) Any person who makes a false statement in reply to any question put to him under
subsection (2) to obtain or to attempt to obtain admission to the Service shall be guilty of an
offence and liable to a fine not exceeding P500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
six months, or to both.
(4) The Commissioner may dismiss from the Service any person who contravenes
subsection (2).
The grant of pensions and gratuities to members of the Service shall be in accordance with
regulations made under this Act.
No police officer shall be at liberty to resign from the Service unless expressly permitted to
do so by the appointing authority.
No police officer shall be at liberty to retire from the Service in time of emergency or war
unless the Commissioner, acting with the consent of the President, orders otherwise.
13. Interdiction
(1) When any police officer is accused of a criminal or disciplinary offence against this Act
or any other criminal offence under any enactment, the appointing authority may suspend such
officer from duty for a period not exceeding three months pending the institution and
(2) Where a police officer, who is suspended under subsection (1), is charged before a
court or a Board with a criminal or disciplinary offence, the appointing authority shall interdict
him and the interdicted officer shall receive such portion of his pay, not being less than
one-half, as the appointing authority may determine; if the proceedings against such officer do
not result in his dismissal or other punishment, he shall be entitled to the full amount of the pay
he would have received had he not been suspended.
(3) When any police officer has been interdicted from duty under subsection (2) and is not
under arrest, a senior officer may order that pending the institution and determination of
proceedings against such officer he shall-
(a) be confined to his quarters or other place of residence during such hours as the
senior officer may decide;
(b) restrict his movements to any area which such senior officer may decide:
Provided that where any conflict arises between an order under this subsection and any
conditions of bail imposed by any court, the latter shall prevail.
(1) An appointing authority may at any time terminate the appointment of a police officer
serving on probation on first appointment if he considers that such officer is unlikely to become
an efficient officer, but only after inviting him to show cause why his appointment should not be
terminated:
Provided that in the case of an officer of the rank of Deputy Commissioner, the appointing
authority shall act after consultation with the Commissioner.
(2) The termination of an appointment under this section shall not prejudice the granting of
any terminal benefits the police officer would otherwise be entitled to.
(3) The decision of an appointing authority under this section shall be final and no appeal
shall lie to any other person or authority.
(a) retire a police officer if a board of Government medical officers finds he is unfit
mentally or physically for further service;
(iii) withhold future increments of salary for a period not exceeding two years; or
(d) retire a police officer if he displays an habitual inattention to orders, or fails to obey
orders, or fails to co-operate with members of the Service, or manifests a quarrelsome
disposition or want of courage, although he is not guilty of a specific offence;
(e) retire a police officer who marries or cohabits with a person with whom the appointing
authority is satisfied it is not in the public interest for a police officer to associate
closely; or
(f) retire a police officer who, whether he is eligible to retire or to be retired or not, fails, in
the opinion of the appointing authority, to maintain a satisfactory standard of
efficiency.
(2) No police officer shall be retired under subsection (1) unless he is given such notice as
may be prescribed of the intention so to retire him.
(3) A police officer who is convicted of a criminal offence and is sentenced to imprisonment,
whether suspended or not, or, having been fined with imprisonment as an alternative, fails to
pay the fine and is imprisoned, shall be dismissed from the Service.
PART IV
Powers, Duties and Privileges of Police Officers (ss 16-20)
(1) Every police officer shall be liable for duty at all times, and at any time may be detailed
for duty in any part of Botswana, or any duty outside Botswana which the Commissioner may
reasonably authorize or require.
(2) Every police officer shall be an officer of the court with responsibility for the prompt
service or execution of any summons or warrant or process directed to him with regard to any
criminal matter.
(3) It shall be the duty of every police officer at all times to perform and carry out the duties
entrusted to him to the best of his ability, and at such times to comply with any general or
specific orders which may be applicable to him.
(4) It shall be the duty of every police officer at all times to comply with any general or
specific orders issued by the Commissioner or other competent police authority.
It shall be the duty of a police officer to lay information before a magistrate and to apply for
a summons, search warrant or such other process as may by law be issued against any
person in relation to any criminal matter.
(1) Any police officer may break into and enter upon any land, premises, vehicle or any
place whatsoever being, or appearing to be on fire or in danger from fire, without the consent
of any persons, and may do all acts or things deemed to be necessary for extinguishing such
fire on any such land, premises, vehicle or other place or for protecting the same or other
property or rescuing any person or property from fire.
(2) A police officer may call upon any able-bodied male adult person to assist in quelling a
fire, or to give assistance at the scene of a fire.
(3) No action shall lie in any court of law against any police officer or any other person
acting under the instructions of any police officer for the recovery of any damage caused in
exercising the powers conferred upon him by subsection (1) unless it is proved that such
damage was caused mala fide.
(4) Any person who, without reasonable excuse, refuses a call by any police officer to assist
in quelling a fire, or to give assistance at the scene of a fire, shall be guilty of an offence, and
be liable to a fine not exceeding P1000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12
months, or to both.
No police officer shall, without the consent of the Commissioner, engage in any employment
or business whatsoever, other than in accordance with his duties under this Act.
(1) Police officers shall be provided with free uniform and equipment; such uniform and
equipment shall remain the property of the Government.
(2) When a person ceases to be a police officer he shall forthwith deliver up to the person
appointed by the Commissioner for the purpose, or to the officer in charge of police where he
was last stationed all accoutrements, uniform and other equipment; such uniform and
equipment shall remain the property of the Government.
PART V
(1) Any offence committed by a police officer in regard to which proceedings are not
instituted in a criminal court may be dealt with in accordance with this Part.
(2) In proceedings before a Board under this Part, different offences may be charged in the
alternative.
shall be guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.
(a) being present at any mutiny or sedition amongst the Service, does not endeavour by
all possible means to suppress such mutiny or sedition;
(b) knowing of any intended mutiny or sedition amongst the Service, does not give
information thereof without delay to a senior officer;
(c) deserts;
(d) persuades, procures, assists or attempts to persuade, procure or assist any police
officer to desert; or
(e) knowing that any police officer has deserted or intends to desert, does not give
information thereof without delay to a senior officer,
shall be guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months.
(3) A police officer shall not be found guilty of the offence of desertion unless the court is
satisfied that there was an intention on the part of such officer not to return to the Service:
Provided that proof that a police officer has been absent from duty without leave for a
period of 14 days or more shall be prima facie evidence of an intention not to return to the
Service.
(4) In this section "mutiny" means a combination of between two or more police officers or
between persons, two at least of whom are police officers-
An offence against discipline is committed by any police officer who is guilty of-
(a) disobedience of orders, that is to say, if any police officer disobeys, or without good
and sufficient cause omits or neglects to carry out any lawful order, written or
otherwise;
(i) is disrespectful in word, act or demeanour to any other police officer senior in
rank to him;
(ii) is oppressive or tyrannical in conduct towards any other police officer junior in
rank to him;
(iii) uses obscene, abusive, or insulting language to any other police officer;
(v) wilfully or negligently makes any false complaint against any other police officer;
(vi) fails to report any complaint or report made against any police officer;
(viii) being under arrest or in confinement leaves or escapes from his arrest or
confinement before being set at liberty by proper authority; or
(i) having a duty to attend to, or take action on any matter, neglects to do so, or,
without good and sufficient cause, fails to do so promptly and diligently;
(ii) idles or gossips or sits or lies down without authority or reasonable cause when
on duty;
(iv) fails to work any beat or patrol in accordance with orders or leaves any beat or
beat point or other place of duty without permission or sufficient cause;
(vi) when knowing where any offender is to be found fails to take all reasonable steps
to make the offender amenable to the law;
(x) without reasonable cause omits to make any necessary entry in, or erases,
obliterates or defaces any entry in any official document, book or paper,
(xi) refuses, or without good and sufficient cause, omits to make or send a report,
return or message which it is his duty to make or send; or
(ii) lends money or offers any present to any senior officer or borrows money from or
accepts any present from any junior in rank;
(iii) incurs debt in or out of the Service without reasonable prospect or intention of
paying the same or, having incurred any debt, makes no reasonable effort to pay
the same; or
(iv) if called upon by the Commissioner to furnish a full and true statement of his
financial position, fails to do so;
(e) absence without leave or being late for duty, that is to say, if any police officer-
(i) without reasonable cause or excuse is absent without leave from any duty, patrol,
place of duty, parade, court or any other duty;
(i) knowingly makes or signs any false statement in any official book or document;
(iii) without good and sufficient cause destroys or mutilates any official document or
record, or alters or erases any entry therein; or
(ii) gives notice, directly or indirectly, to any person against whom any warrant or
summons has been or is about to be issued except in the lawful execution of
such warrant or summons;
(iv) without proper authority shows to any person outside the Service any book,
written or printed document, item or equipment, or any other thing whatsoever,
the property of or in possession of the Service;
(vii) signs or circulates any petition or statement with regard to any matter concerning
the Service, except through the proper channels of correspondence to the
Commissioner;
(i) fails to account for or to make a true and prompt return of any money or property
received in an official capacity;
(ii) without the authority of the Commissioner, accepts any fee or reward for any
service performed in the course of his duties;
(iv) fails to return as soon as possible to the donor any gift received by him, or a
member of his family, which in terms of subparagraph (iii) may not be accepted,
or fails to report forthwith to a police officer senior in rank the offer of any gift,
entertainment or other advantage which similarly may not be accepted; or
(v) solicits any gift, entertainment or other advantage for himself or for his family,
which in terms of subparagraph (iii) may not be accepted;
(i) unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority, that is to say, if any police officer-
(i) without good and sufficient excuse makes any unlawful or unnecessary arrest;
(ii) uses any unnecessary violence to or intimidates any prisoner or other person with
whom he may be brought into contact in the execution of duty; or
(i) feigns or exaggerates any sickness or injury with a view to evading duty; or
(ii) while absent from duty on account of sickness neglects or without good and
sufficient cause omits to carry out any instruction of a medical officer or of a
member of the hospital staff or acts or behaves in a manner likely or calculated to
retard a return to duty;
(i) while on or off duty in uniform, is without reasonable cause improperly dressed or
dirty or untidy in person, dress, clothing or accoutrements;
(ii) while on duty in plain clothes is without reasonable cause dirty or untidy in
clothing or appearance; or
(iii) while on duty contravenes the standards which may from time to time be
established with regard to the length of hair or beard;
(l) causing damage to or improper use of property, that is to say, if any police officer-
(i) wilfully or by carelessness causes any waste, loss or damage to any article of
clothing or accoutrements or any book, document or other property of the
Service, issued or entrusted to his care;
(iii) uses without proper authority any property of, in the possession of or used by the
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Service;
(m) offences relating to the consumption of liquor or drugs, that is to say, if any police
officer-
(i) whilst on or warned for duty or at any time in a public place renders himself unfit
for duty through the consumption of intoxicating liquor or drugs; or
(ii) whilst on or warned for duty partakes of any intoxicating liquor without authority;
(n) entering premises where liquor is offered for sale for consumption on the premises or
where liquor is being consumed when on duty, or when off duty in uniform, except
when required to be there in the execution of his duty;
(o) engaging without authority in any employment or business other than police duties;
(p) discharging any firearm through negligence or without orders or just cause;
(q) neglecting or failing to report that he is suffering from any contagious disease, or that
any member of his family or any other person living or staying with him in any police
lines, camp or quarter is suffering from any contagious disease;
(r) any other act, conduct, disorder or neglect to the prejudice of good order and
discipline not hereinbefore specified;
(s) conniving at or knowingly being an accessory to any offence against discipline under
this Act; or
and such offence may be inquired into, tried and determined and the offender shall be liable to
suffer punishment, according to the degree and nature of the offence, in accordance with this
Act.
(1) A police officer shall not be a member of any political party, or any organization, club,
association or group of a political nature.
(a) any trade union, or any body or association affiliated to a trade union;
(b) any body or association the object of which or one of the objects of which is to control
or influence conditions of employment in any trade or profession; or
(c) any body or association which includes in its objects the control or influence of the
pay, pensions, conditions of service, or loyalty of the Service:
Provided that a police officer may become a member of any such body or association which
may be constituted and regulated pursuant to this Act.
(3) Any police officer who contravenes this section shall be guilty of an offence against
discipline, and, in addition to any other penalty which may be imposed, may be dismissed from
the Service.
(4) In this section "police officer" does not include a special constable or a member of the
Reserve Service.
Any senior officer, station commander or member of the inspectorate may arrest without
warrant, or order the arrest without warrant of any police officer (not being a police officer of
higher rank) whom he has reasonable cause to believe has committed or is accused of an
offence against discipline, and any police officer, on receipt of any such order, may apprehend
such police officer without warrant and shall forthwith bring him before a senior officer, station
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commander or member of the inspectorate senior in rank to him who may confine such police
officer in any building set apart as a guard room or cell:
Provided that-
(i) the power to confine such police officer shall only be exercised where the arrested
officer is-
(c) disorderly;
(ii) no police officer shall be detained for a period longer than is absolutely essential, and
shall in any case not be detained for any period exceeding 48 hours excluding any
time reasonably necessary to arrange his trial by a Board.
(1) Offences against discipline shall be tried before a Board constituted in accordance with
subsection (2).
(a) a Board of Enquiry I appointed to hear disciplinary charges against officers of the rank
of Deputy Commissioner, and consisting of a chairman and two members appointed
by the Permanent Secretary to the President, on the recommendation of the
Commissioner, from persons in the public service of a status not inferior to the officer
to be tried; and
(aa) a Board or Enquiry II appointed to hear charges against officers of the rank of Senior
Assistant Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner and consisting of a chairman
and two members appointed by the Commissioner from persons in the public service
of a status not inferior to the officer to be tried;
(b) a Class I Board appointed by the Commissioner to hear disciplinary charges against
senior officers of up to and including the rank of Senior Superintendent and consisting
of a chairman and two members; the chairman will be of rank not less than that of
Assistant Commissioner, and the members shall be officers senior in rank to the
officer to be tried;
(c) a Class II Board appointed by the Commissioner to hear disciplinary charges against
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members of the inspectorate, and, where necessary in terms of paragraph (d),
disciplinary charges against junior officers, and consisting of such number of senior
officers not exceeding three as the Commissioner may direct:
Provided that-
(i) where more than one senior officer is so appointed the chairman will be the most
senior in rank;
(ii) where it appears to a senior officer with regard to a disciplinary charge against a
member of the inspectorate that the offence is not sufficiently serious to require a
Board of more than one senior officer the disciplinary hearing may proceed
without the directions of the Commissioner;
(d) a Class III Board to be held by any senior officer to hear disciplinary charges against
any junior officer:
Provided that where it appears to a Class III Board that, by reason of the gravity
of the offence or for any other reason, the matter would be dealt with more properly
by a Class II Board, the Class III Board shall defer its hearing and report the facts to
the Commissioner, who may return the report for further inquiry or order the accused
to be tried before a Class II Board.
27. Punishment
(1) Boards shall have the power to award any one or more of the following punishments-
(i) reprimand;
(iii) in the case of a Board of Enquiry I, a fine not exceeding P2000, and in the case
of a Board of Enquiry II, a fine not exceeding P1500;
(i) reprimand;
Provided that a Class II Board, trying a case under the proviso to section 26(2)(d)
against a sergeant may reduce him in rank to constable;
(i) reprimand;
(vi) confinement to a police camp or quarters for a period not exceeding 14 days with
or without extra guards, fatigues or duties.
(2) In addition to punishments which may be awarded by Boards in terms of subsection (1),
where any police officer has been convicted of a disciplinary offence under section 23 the
Board convicting him may order him to make good any loss or damage and such order shall for
the purposes of section 34 be deemed to be a fine, and for the purposes of section 29 shall be
deemed to be a sentence.
A Board may, upon conviction of an offender, in addition to or in lieu of any other penalty
provided for in section 27, recommend to the appointing authority that the person convicted
should be dismissed from the Service.
(1) Any Board which sentences any police officer to any punishment other than a
punishment in terms of section 27(1)(d)(vi) shall prepare a record of the proceedings in such
manner as may be prescribed or as the Commissioner may require, and shall without further
delay forward such report together with any further representations made by the police officer-
(a) in the case of a Board of Enquiry or Class I Board, to the Permanent Secretary to the
President, through the Commissioner; and
(b) in the case of all other Boards, to the Branch Commander having direct authority over
(a) within the powers of the Board concerned, vary, reverse or confirm the sentence
passed by that Board, which power of variation shall include the power to substitute
for any punishment awarded by the Board a punishment of a different kind;
(b) substitute for the conviction recorded and the punishment awarded by the Board
concerned in respect of any offence a conviction and punishment in respect of a
different offence the commission of which he is satisfied has been proved, whether
that different offence was or was not charged, and in respect of such substituted
punishment he shall have power to award any one or more of the punishments which
the Board concerned was empowered to award; and
Provided that-
(i) the Permanent Secretary to the President or the Commissioner shall not, under
paragraph (b), substitute a conviction and punishment in respect of a different offence
which was not charged without first giving the police officer in question the opportunity
to address him;
(ii) the Permanent Secretary to the President or the Commissioner may, in addition to or
in substitution for any punishment awarded by the Board concerned or in addition to
any substituted punishment awarded by him under paragraph (b), dismiss the police
officer in question from the Service, reduce his salary on the scale applicable to him
or order the withholding of future increments of salary for a period not exceeding two
years; and
(iii) where the Permanent Secretary to the President or the Commissioner alters a
punishment of a reduction in rank or awards such a punishment as a substituted
punishment under paragraph (a) or (b), he may order a reduction to any rank.
(3) The powers conferred upon the Commissioner under subsection (2) may, with the
exception of the power to dismiss or reduce the rank of a police officer and subject to the
general or specific directions of the Commisssioner, be exercised by-
(ii) a Branch Commander having direct authority over the officer against whom
proceedings were conducted:
Provided that if the Branch Commander is of the opinion that a new trial should
be ordered he shall make such a recommendation to the Commissioner and shall give
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the reasons for the recommendation.
(4) Where any police officer is found not guilty and acquitted by any Board the record of the
proceedings shall-
(b) in the case of a Class II or Class III Board, be forwarded to the Branch Commander
having direct authority over such person, and such Branch Commander may, if he is
of the opinion that the evidence was sufficient to warrant a conviction, recommend to
the appropriate review authority under subsection (2) that a new trial be ordered;
and such officer may, if he is of the opinion that the evidence was sufficient to warrant a
conviction, recommend to the appropriate review authority under subsection (2) that a new trial
should be ordered.
(4A) Any police officer who has been subjected to any punishment by the exercise of
powers conferred on a Deputy Commissioner or a Branch Commander under this section, may
appeal to the Commissioner who may dismiss such appeal or allow it wholly or in part.
(5) A review authority receiving a recommendation under subsection (4) may order a new
trial before a different Board.
(6) Where a further acquittal results from a new trial under subsection (5) a review authority
shall not order any further proceedings.
(1) A Board may summon any person to attend as a witness at a trial by a Board, and a
Board may take evidence on oath or affirmation of any witness.
(2) At a trial by a Board the Board may refuse to permit the officer accused to call a person
as a witness and may refuse to summon a person to attend as a witness on the application of
the officer accused unless it is satisfied that such person will materially assist in determining
whether the officer accused is or is not guilty of the offence with which he is charged; and
every such refusal shall be recorded in the record of the proceedings.
(3) A senior officer may at the request of a review authority summon any person to attend
as a witness in any review proceedings, and any witness so attending may be required to give
evidence on oath or affirmation.
(4) Any person summoned to attend as a witness under this section shall, at the order of a
Board or review authority, produce thereto any exhibit material to the matter under enquiry
which might reasonably and lawfully be required.
(1) Any person summoned as a witness under section 30 who fails to attend at the time and
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place appointed or who refuses to be sworn or affirmed, refuses to give evidence or to answer
a lawful question or to do any lawful thing required by the Board, shall be liable to be dealt with
by a magistrate's court in the like manner as if such witness has been a witness duly
summoned to appear at a criminal trial before such court.
(2) If in any proceedings under this Part any witness who, having been duly sworn or
affirmed, makes any false statement knowing the same to be false shall be guilty of perjury
and liable to punishment accordingly in a magistrate's court.
Expenses shall be allowed in accordance with the scales of expenses for witnesses
attending a magistrate's court to witnesses attending proceedings under this Act whether such
witnesses are called for the prosecution or the defence:
Provided that no police officer nor any person in the employment of the Botswana
Government shall qualify for such expenses.
(1) At a trial by a Class II Board comprising less than three senior officers or by a Class III
Board, the officer accused shall not be represented.
(2) At a trial by a Board of Enquiry I or II, a Class I Board or a Class II Board comprising
three senior officers, the officer accused shall not be represented except as provided by this
section.
(3) At a trial referred to in subsection (2), the officer accused shall be entitled to be
represented at his own expense by a legal practitioner or by a senior officer or member of the
inspectorate approved by the Commissioner:
Provided that the officer accused shall not be represented by an officer of a lower rank or,
where he is represented by an officer of the same rank, who is junior to him in seniority.
Any fine imposed upon a police officer by a Board may be recovered by stoppages from the
pay of such officer.
Reduction in rank or dismissal from the Service of an offender shall be considered as part
of the punishment inflicted upon such member, and subject to appeal under section 37.
Where a police officer has been acquitted of a criminal charge, such acquittal shall not
PART VI
Appeals (ss 37-39)
37. Appeals
(1) A police officer who has been convicted and sentenced by a Board at first instance or by
the Permanent Secretary to the President or the Commissioner on review or who has been
dismissed or removed from office under this Act may appeal against sentence or conviction
and sentence, dismissal or removal to the Police Council.
(2) The Police Council may dismiss an appeal under subsection (1) or allow it in whole or in
part; but the Council shall have no power to substitute for a conviction recorded and the
punishment awarded by the Board at first instance or by the Permanent Secretary to the
President or the Commissioner on review in respect of any offence a conviction and
punishment in respect of a different offence, whether that different offence was or was not
charged.
(3) Notice of intention to appeal against conviction or sentence shall be given within seven
days of the convicted officer being notified of the confirmation or review under section 29 and
shall be given in writing to his immediate senior officer commander for onward transmission to
the Police Council.
(4) An appellant shall indicate the grounds for his appeal in writing to the Police Council and
to the Commissioner within 14 days of being notified of the conviction being confirmed or
reviewed under section 29.
(1) The Police Council may, when considering an appeal, require the appearance of any
witness, or any additional witnesses, and may require the production of such evidence as it
deems necessary.
(2) Subject to this Act, the Police Council may regulate its own procedure.
(3) The Commissioner, when exercising the powers of an appellate authority over decisions
of Branch Commanders to whom authority to review the disciplinary proceedings has been
delegated may exercise any power granted to the Council by this section.
Section 31 shall apply in respect of proceedings before the Police Council and the
Commissioner under this Part as it applies in respect of proceedings under Part V; and for this
(a) the reference in section 31 to any person summoned as a witness under section 30
shall be deemed to be a reference to any witness or additional witness whose
appearance is required by the Police Council under section 38;
(b) the reference in section 31 to the Board shall be deemed to be a reference to the
Police Council; and
(c) the reference in section 31 to any proceedings under Part V shall be deemed to be a
reference to any proceedings under this Part.
PART VII
Rewards and Fines Fund (ss 40-42)
(1) All fines imposed under this Act for any offence against discipline, the proceeds of sales
of unclaimed property under section 42, and any fees paid or donations made in respect of
special services provided by the Service, shall be placed to the credit of a fund called the
Police Rewards and Fines Fund.
(2) No payment shall be made from the Police Rewards and Fines Fund except upon the
authority of the Commissioner.
(3) The Commissioner may sanction payment from the Police Rewards and Fines Fund for
any of the following-
(a) to assist the wives and families of deceased police officers or to assist any police
officer discharged from the Service as medically unfit for further service;
(b) as rewards to police officers for meritorious acts or service in the execution of duty:
Provided such payment shall not be made to any police officer who has received
any other reward from Government revenue;
(f) to reward officers required to carry out extra duties where a charge is raised in
connection therewith; and
(1) Where any lost property has come into the possession of the officer in charge of a police
station, and such property has not been lawfully claimed by any person for a period of three
months, such officer in charge shall inform the Commissioner.
(2) The Commissioner may direct that any property held under subsection (1) be sold by
public auction and the proceeds paid into the Police Rewards and Fines Fund, or, if such
property is worthless, that it be destroyed.
(3) Notwithstanding anything in this section, the officer in charge of a police station may, if
he is of the opinion that the immediate sale of unclaimed property would be of benefit due to
the perishable nature of such property, at any time direct that it be sold by public auction and
the proceeds paid into the Police Rewards and Fines Fund, or if the unclaimed property is in
his opinion dangerous the officer in charge of a police station may order that it be destroyed.
(4) If a lawful claim to the ownership of unclaimed property sold under this section is
established by any person within six months of the date of sale the proceeds thereof shall be
paid to such person.
(5) So much of the proceeds of the sale of such unclaimed property as the Commissioner
may direct, if no claim has been established under subsection (4), may be apportioned to the
finder.
(6) Nothing in this section shall authorize the sale of stock the disposal of which provision is
made in the Stock Theft Act, or the sale of anything the disposal of which provision is made in
the Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act.
PART VIII
Special Constables (ss 43-49)
Whenever there are not in any locality sufficient members of the Service available to
perform police duties or whenever any grave disturbance of the peace has taken place, or may
reasonably be anticipated, or where in the implementation of any written law it is in the public
interest that general or specific police powers be exercised by particular persons or class of
persons, the President may, on the application of the Commissioner, authorize generally or in
any particular case any senior officer to appoint by writing in such form as may be prescribed
any persons prepared to act as special constables for such time and in such manner as the
senior officer may deem fit and necessary.
The Commissioner may provide for the use of special constables, at public expense, such
Copyright Government of Botswana
batons, weapons, uniforms and other articles as he may consider necessary for the proper
carrying out of their duties.
Every special constable appointed under this Act shall, subject to such limitations related to
the time and manner of his duties as may be imposed by section 43, have the same powers,
privileges and protection and shall be liable to perform the same duties and shall be amenable
to the same penalties, and be subordinate to the same authorities, as other police officers.
The Commissioner may suspend or terminate the services of any special constable if he
considers his services can safely be dispensed with, and shall forthwith transmit notice thereof
in writing to the special constable concerned.
Every special constable shall, within 14 days after receipt of the notice terminating his
appointment, deliver up any property of the Service with which he may have been issued.
If a special constable, who is not a public officer entitled to compensation under any other
law, dies or is killed or is permanently or temporarily disabled by sickness or injury contracted
or inflicted-
(a) in the actual discharge of any duty which he was required or permitted to perform; or
(b) in circumstances which if applicable to any other police officer would have drawn
compensation; and
he or his dependants shall be entitled to compensation at the same rate and subject to the
same conditions applicable to other police officers.
Whenever any special constable is employed on duty he may be paid such remuneration as
may be prescribed.
PART IX
Police Reserve (ss 50-56)
The President may authorize the formation of a Police Reserve which shall consist of such
numbers of those ranks up to and including Superintendent as he may from time to time direct.
Subject to this Act, the Commissioner shall appoint fit and proper persons to the Police
Reserve in such manner as may be prescribed and may terminate such appointment at any
time and without notice or need to give reason therefor.
Service in the Police Reserve shall be voluntary, and its members shall be required to carry
out such police duties on a part-time basis as the Commissioner may direct, and for such time
and in such manner as he may deem fit and necessary:
Provided that in time of war or emergency the President may direct that the Police Reserve,
or any member or part thereof shall render full-time service for such period as the President
may deem necessary.
The Commissioner may provide for members of the Police Reserve, at public expense, such
batons, weapons, uniforms and other articles as he may consider necessary for the proper
carrying out of their duties.
Every member of the Police Reserve shall, subject to such limitations related to the time
and manner of his duties, have the same powers, privileges and protection, and shall be liable
to perform the same duties and shall be amenable to the same penalties and be subordinate
to the same authorities, as other police officers.
Whenever a member of the Police Reserve is required to render service he shall be paid
such salary and allowances as may be prescribed.
If a member of the Police Reserve, who is not a public officer entitled to compensation
under any other law, dies or is killed or is permanently or temporarily disabled by sickness or
injury contracted or inflicted-
(a) in the actual discharge of any duty which he was required or permitted to perform; or
(b) in circumstances which if applicable to any other police officer would have drawn
compensation; and
he or his dependants shall be entitled to compensation at the same rate and subject to the
PART X
General (ss 57-61)
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other written law, any person, not being a police
officer, who, without the authority of the Commissioner, or other reasonable cause-
(a) wears, has in his possession, purchases or receives any uniform of the Service, or
any item of its equipment, stores and accoutrements, shall be guilty of an offence and
liable to a fine not exceeding P500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six
months, or to both;
(b) wears, has in his possession, purchases or receives any uniform of the Service, or
any item of its equipment, stores, accoutrements or anything having the appearance
of such items, with the intention of appearing to be a member of the Service, shall be
guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding P1000 or to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding twelve months, or to both; or
(c) in committing, attempting to commit or in the course of committing any crime, wears,
has in his possession, purchases or receives any uniform of the Service, or any item
of its equipment, stores or accoutrements, or anything having the appearance of such
items, with the intention of appearing to be a member of the Service, shall be guilty of
an offence, and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
(a) falsely induces or attempts to induce any other person to believe he is a police officer;
or
(b) having been mistaken for a police officer fails at once to correct that impression,
shall be guilty of an offence, and liable to a fine not exceeding P5000 or to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding five years, or to both.
(3) A police officer who procures for any person, with the intention or knowledge that it will
be used in the commission of an offence, any item of police uniform, equipment, stores or
accoutrements shall be guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not less
than two years, but not exceeding five years.
shall be found guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding P1000 or to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding 12 months.
58. Obstruction
Any person who wilfully obstructs, resists or assaults any police officer, in the due execution
or performance of his duties in terms of this Act or any other written law shall be guilty of an
offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
No article whatsoever which has been supplied to any police officer for the execution of his
duty shall be capable of being seized or attached under any writ of execution issued against
any such police officer nor shall the same pass under any order made for the sequestration of
the estate of any such police officer.
No police officer shall assign, without the approval of the Commissioner, the whole or any
part of any pay or allowances payable under this Act.
For the protection of persons acting in pursuance of this Act, any civil action against any
such person in respect of anything done or omitted to be done in pursuance thereof shall be
commenced in the six months next after the cause of action arises, and notice of any civil
action and of the substance thereof shall be given to the defendant at least two months before
the commencement of the said action:
Provided that the court may, for good cause, proof of which shall lie upon the applicant,
extend the said period of six months.
PART XI
Police Council (ss 62-64)
(1) The President shall appoint a Police Council comprising at least five and not more than
seven members.
(2) The President shall appoint a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman from amongst the
(3) The members shall be appointed for a period not exceeding three years and shall be
eligible for reappointment for a further term of three years.
(a) carry out such duties with regard to the Service which the President may, without
derogating the authority and responsibilities of the Commissioner under section 4,
direct;
(b) fulfil such other duties as may be conferred upon it by this Act.
(1) Subject to this Act, the Police Council shall have responsibility for considering any
complaint against the Service generally, or any of its members, which the Commissioner
cannot successfully resolve.
(2) The Commissioner may forward to the Police Council a full report on any complaint
against the Service or any of its members which he is unable to resolve.
PART XII
Miscellaneous (ss 65-66)
65. Regulations
The Minister may make regulations for the better carrying out of the provisions of this Act
and the general control and administration of the Service and, without prejudice to the
generality of the foregoing, such regulations may-
(a) make provision regarding the matters which the Commissioner is authorized to order
under this Act;
(b) regulate the enlistment, pay, pensions, leave, conditions of service, transfer,
discharge and dismissal of police officers;
(c) regulate the procedure at disciplinary trials held under section 27;
(d) provide for the establishment, constitution, functions and procedure of police
associations and matters incidental thereto;
The Botswana Police College shall be a tertiary institution within the meaning of the Tertiary
Education Act, 1999 (Act No. 4 of 1999).
SCHEDULE
(s. 3)
Deputy Commissioner
Assistant Commissioner
Senior Superintendent
Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent
Inspector
Cadet Inspector
Sub-Inspector
Cadet Sub-Inspector
Sergeant
Constable