Unlocking Performance Excellence And Impact In The Strategic Human Resource Training And Development In The Zimbabwe Republic Police

Abstract

This study explores the influence of strategic human resource training and development on performance excellence within the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), with the aim of unlocking optimal performance in the security services sector. The research was inspired by a noticeable deterioration of police performance across the country, public outcry and many newspaper reports on alleged corrupt tendencies and poor service delivery within the rank and file of the ZRP. The study adopted a mixed methods approach with a pragmatic philosophy. The target population was 210 police officers stationed at the Police General Headquarters (PGHQ) in Harare. Data were collected using questionnaires (n=136) and interview schedules (n=3). Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23.0, while qualitative data were analysed using the maticanalysis. Research results reveal that strategic human resource training and development programmes have a positive significant influence on employee performance in the ZRP. The research also established challenges constraining effective implementation of strategic human resource training and development in the Zimbabwean security services sector, notably lack of infrastructure, lack of training facilities, limited access to technology, limited e-learning resource, and high staff turnover, among others. The study, therefore, recommends that the ZRP should increase its investment in strategic human resource training and development programmes, as this would help to enhance the human capital of police officers, leading to improved performance excellence.