BY MBONO MDLULI
MATSAPHA – His Majesty King Mswati III has hailed the role of community police officers as vital partners in maintaining law and order, describing them as an “important stakeholder” in the fight against crime.
Delivering his keynote address during the 22nd Police Day celebrations at the Matsapha Police Academy on Friday, August 15, 2025, His Majesty expressed delight at seeing community police officers taking part in the parade drills alongside the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS).
The King commended REPS for integrating community police into its programmes, noting that their close relationship with communities gave them a unique advantage in supporting law enforcement.
“Community police play a critical role in ensuring peace and stability at chiefdom level. They are the eyes and ears of the police in our neighbourhoods and act swiftly to alert REPS officers whenever criminals disturb peace in communities,” His Majesty said.
He further explained that community police not only report crimes but, when necessary, apprehend offenders before handing them over to REPS officers for legal processing.
Highlighting their value, His Majesty described community police as the link between the formal police force and the people. “They live among the communities, they know the environment, and they understand the dynamics at grassroots level. This makes them an indispensable bridge between the police and the nation,” he added.
The King also emphasised that community policing fosters stronger trust between law enforcement and citizens, acting as a stabilising factor in chiefdoms across the country.
The recognition of community police during the national celebrations underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration between state security forces and grassroots structures, in line with the broader goal of maintaining peace and security throughout Eswatini.
