"The problem is exactly that we have a lame public security system, because the system should be based on three essential pillars that are reaction, prevention and primary prevention," said José Carlos da Piedade, director of Studies, Information and Analysis at the General Police Command.
According to the officer, the issue of primary prevention, which should bring together factors such as child integration, victim support, the youth forum, among others, "is not taken into account in the field of police pro-activity".
The officer spoke in Luanda, in a lecture alluding to the launch of the 44th anniversary festivities of the National Police, which are celebrated on 28 February, on the current state of public security in the country.
Angola's criminal rates have risen 24 percent in the last five years, with an average annual rate of 191.8 crimes per 100,000 inhabitants, and in 2018 and 2019 there was a "significant increase".
José Carlos da Piedade, who questioned the reasons for the significant increase in crime in Angola in the last two years, a period in which the corporation has developed actions to prevent and combat crime, considers that the country's security system needs "greater efficiency".
"The efficiency of crime prevention and combat is not in the robustness of police visibility, the increase of police in the street, but although these measures should continue to be taken," he said.
For the police commissioner, who advocates creating a "balance" in the country's public security system, "it is essential" that the primary prevention pillar be developed in this area, "which is not the case".
However, the director of Studies, Information and Analysis of the General Police Command assured that public security in the country "is stable, with a clear police response", but that "the involvement of other actors in society is necessary".
For his part, the acting police general commander, Chief Commissioner António Pedro Candela, who opened the meeting, also called for the "active participation" of other sectors in the fight against crime in the country.
"We need to move towards formal partnerships between the national police, ministerial departments and other social actors, so that in an integrated and cohesive way we can all contribute to a safer society", he said.
Besides the current state of public security in Angola, the participants in the meeting also discussed the cost of public security in the current context.
