By Business Insider Reporter
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called on newly graduated members of the Tanzania Police Force to rise to the challenges of modern crime, particularly cross-border criminal networks and the growing threat of cybercrime, which she said are undermining national and regional security.
Addressing hundreds of fresh police officers during a graduation ceremony today June 9, 2025, President Samia emphasised the urgency of equipping law enforcement with the skills and tools necessary to combat increasingly complex and transnational threats.
“Crime today is no longer confined by borders. Criminal syndicates are collaborating across countries to smuggle people, drugs, weapons, and even wildlife. Our police must be prepared to track and dismantle these networks using intelligence, cooperation, and technology,” she said.
She pointed to cybercrime as a particularly fast-growing menace that threatens individuals, businesses, and government institutions.
From digital fraud and financial scams to data breaches and online radicalization, President Samia warned that cyber threats are eroding public trust and economic stability.
“In the digital era, crime has gone virtual. Criminals are using the internet to commit fraud, spread disinformation, and exploit the vulnerable. You must be one step ahead of them. Cybersecurity is now a central pillar of national security,” she told the graduates.
The President noted that while Tanzania has made progress in modernising its police force, there remains a pressing need to build specialised capabilities in digital forensics, cyber investigations, and cross-border intelligence sharing. She pledged her government’s continued investment in training, technology, and international partnerships to enhance the country’s capacity to address these threats.
“As your Commander-in-Chief, I assure you that the government is committed to ensuring the Police Force is equipped not only with physical resources but with knowledge and skills that match the evolving nature of crime,” she said.
President Samia also used the platform to urge regional cooperation among security agencies, particularly within the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), saying no country can effectively fight cross-border crime alone.
“Terrorism, human trafficking, illicit arms trade, and cybercrime demand collective action. We must share intelligence, harmonize laws, and conduct joint operations with our neighbors,” she stressed.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Camillus Wambura, who also spoke at the ceremony, echoed the President’s message, revealing that the force has already begun implementing reforms, including the recruitment of IT professionals and establishment of a cybercrime unit.
“We are restructuring our operations to focus on intelligence-led policing and are expanding our digital capabilities to deal with cyber-related offenses,” IGP Wambura said.
The graduation event, attended by senior government officials, diplomats, and family members, marked the commissioning of over 1,000 police recruits who completed a rigorous 10-month training program.
As the graduates took their oath, President Samia reminded them that wearing the police uniform is not just a job but a solemn commitment to protect the nation and its people, especially in an age when threats are becoming more sophisticated and globalized. “You are the new face of Tanzanian security – disciplined, alert, modern, and ethical. Serve with courage, vigilance, and integrity,” she concluded.
