Slow police promotions raise welfare concerns
Pini Bothoko | Monday April 6, 2026 06:00
Even the Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa has acknowledged this. Speaking before Parliament, he said career advancement within the police service has been significantly sluggish over the past five years, largely due to economic constraints.
Mohwasa explained that prevailing fiscal challenges have limited the government’s ability to create new supervisory positions within the police service, a situation that has directly impacted promotion opportunities.
As a result, the Commissioner of Police can only promote officers when vacancies arise through attrition, such as resignations, retirements, or deaths.
This structural limitation has created a bottleneck, leaving many officers stuck in the same ranks for extended periods.
The minister’s remarks came in response to a question from Tswapong South Member of Parliament, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang, who had sought clarity on the delays in promotions and the government’s commitment to addressing the issue.
He also pressed the minister to provide statistics on promotions, assess whether gender bias plays any role, and outline measures to improve progression and overall morale within the service.
In response, Mohwasa revealed that since the government’s 2024 commitment to address stagnation, a total of 220 officers, mainly former Local Police Officers with over 10 years of service, have been promoted to various ranks.
These include one Senior Assistant Commissioner, four Assistant Commissioners, seven Senior Superintendents, seven Superintendents, 26 Assistant Superintendents, 32 Inspectors, 64 Sub-Inspectors and 79 of the rank of Sergeant.
Despite these promotions, the numbers highlight a deeper systemic issue. According to the minister, 940 officers have remained in the same positions for more than a decade without promotion. This group includes 258 former local police officers and 682 officers already within the mainstream BPS ranks.
Additionally, 1,278 former local police officers have been deployed across various policing establishments, many of whom are still awaiting career progression. The stagnation has not only affected morale but has also raised concerns about the broader welfare of police officers.
Gobotswang warned that prolonged delays in promotions, coupled with challenging working conditions, could have unintended consequences on the integrity of the service. He cautioned that officers who feel undervalued and financially strained may become vulnerable to corruption.
“Do you know that if they continue with these living conditions, their jobs can end up being compromised? They can become prone to bribes. It becomes easier for people to take advantage of them,” he said during his submission.
He further highlighted that some officers have spent more than 30 years in a single rank, a situation he described as deeply frustrating and demoralising. Such prolonged stagnation, he argued, risks breeding discontent and indiscipline within the ranks.
In response, Mohwasa maintained that promotions within the BPS are strictly based on meritocracy, with no room for gender bias. He stated that factors such as performance, discipline, commitment, and availability of posts are the key determinants in promotion decisions.
However, the minister conceded that structural challenges remain and assured Parliament that the government is committed to improving the situation.
Amongst the proposed interventions is the creation of new supervisory positions to ease congestion in the promotion pipeline. This, he said, would not only facilitate career progression but also boost morale and enhance productivity within the service.
Beyond promotions, Mohwasa acknowledged that the welfare of police officers extends to broader issues such as remuneration, working conditions, and infrastructure.
He revealed that the government is open to reviewing the salary structure to allow for fairer progression and better compensation for officers.
“We are aware of the conditions that the police are faced with, and the government is open to considering an improved salary structure that would allow fair progression,” he said.
The minister also outlined plans to address operational challenges, including shortages of transport and inadequate infrastructure. He announced that a pilot project to improve mobility is set to commence in Maun and Broadhurst in Gaborone, in partnership with Avis Rent A Car.
The 12-month initiative will see the outsourcing of vehicles for operational use, a move expected to enhance efficiency in policing.
In addition, he stated that the government intends to tackle longstanding accommodation challenges faced by officers. Many police houses are reportedly dilapidated, with a significant shortage of housing across the country.
Office infrastructure is also in poor condition, further compounding the difficulties faced by officers in executing their duties.
As the government moves to address these concerns, the issue of slow progression remains a critical test of its commitment to improving the welfare of police officers.
For many within the service, meaningful reform cannot come soon enough, as years of stagnation continue to weigh heavily on morale and performance.