The French Embassy has honoured the Commissioner of Police Mr Thebeyame Tsimako for his contribution to public safety and law enforcement in this country.

Bestowing the Commissioner of Police with the Insignia of the National Order of Merit recently in Gaborone, the French Ambassador to Botswana, Her Excellency Mrs Geneviève Iancu, said the honour celebrates noble efforts accomplished by distinguished individuals, irrespective of their gender, social background or nationality.

The French Ambassador said that her country saw it fit to honour Mr Tsimako as he has displayed such efforts through his devotion to the security of his fellow citizens during his 42 years of service as a police officer.

Mrs Iancu commended the Commissioner for his supportive role in ensuring smooth cooperation between the Botswana and French policing services.

For his part, Mr Tsimako expressed gratitude to the French nation for the honour and its contribution to law enforcement in the country.  

He said that since 2004 Botswana Police continues to benefit from France’s expertise in policing. He cited among others the Intervention Skills and the French Joint Peacekeeping Training as some of expertise that have not only benefited Botswana Police Service but also other law enforcement nine Southern African countries since its inception in 2008.

He further said that the French Government has also offered exchange programmes to local police pilots to ensure that they comply with international police flying standards.

Commissioner Tsimako joins a few other beneficiaries of the honour among them the former President His Excellency Festus Mogae and former High Court Judge, Ms Unity Dow, who were also present at the ceremony.