Unionizing the Police Service: The Case of Botswana Police Service

Abstract

Police labour relations in Botswana have been on the spotlight in recent years in Botswana. Whilst government in their Labour Policies appreciates the need for collective arrangements by employees to bargain for their conditions of service, the same favour has not been extended to the Police. It is always an issue for investigation why the Police find themselves managed by their own special Acts that explicitly prohibit them from organizing themselves for collective bargaining. This paper analyses unionization with regards to the Botswana Police Service. Whereas unionization is internationally recognized, the Police in Botswana find themselves prohibited from such action. The Trade Unions and Employers’ Organisations Act, the Public Service Act and the Police Act are analysed in order to find harmony amongst these pieces of legislation. It also draws lessons from other Police Services in Southern Africa to get an international experience.