Wildlife criminals in Tanzania more likely to face arrest following police training

More than 10,000 Tanzanian student police officers have been trained in how to stop illegal wildlife trade, as part of efforts to protect the country’s unique nature and ecosystems.

As a result of this training, which has taken place over five years, police officers report that they are able to detect and investigate wildlife and forest crime more effectively.

For example in Morogoro, Tanzanian police worked with wildlife officers in national parks to successfully arrested multiple individuals suspected of illegal wildlife activities.  These tangible actions show the real-life effect of strengthened capacity in frontline enforcement.

Now, ten of the most committed police graduates who undertook the training between 2023 and 2025 are being awarded the newly-created Rafiki wa Maliasili (Friends of Natural Resources) Commendation Award for Exceptional Performance in Combatting Wildlife Crime, for demonstrating outstanding commitment and performance in combating wildlife crimes. They will be selected by the Chief of Police, with the aim of recognising excellence, encouraging professionalism, and motivating continued dedication to the protection of Tanzania’s wildlife.

Since 2021 TRAFFIC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT), the National Prosecution Service (NPS), the Department of Fisheries (DF), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock (MAINRL) of Zanzibar, with support from the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), has been delivering specialised training on countering illegal wildlife trade (IWT) to police instructors across the five police training institutions in Tanzania. This initiative is designed to enable instructors to effectively transfer IWT-related knowledge and skills to police students.

Through this programme, the trained instructors have equipped over 10,000 police students with practical knowledge and skills related to combating illegal wildlife trade.

Linah Clifford, TRAFFIC East Africa legal expert, said:

The Tanzania Police Force has delivered outstanding results in combating wildlife and forest crime by incorporating illegal wildlife trade into police training curricula, ensuring that every officer graduating from Police College is equipped with essential knowledge and skills. The Rafiki wa Maliasili Award recognises this leadership and is intended to motivate more officers to protect Tanzania’s wildlife and forests.”

Receiving the award on behalf of the Chief of Police Force, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Frasser Kashai added:

Police instructors trained across all five Police Colleges are enhancing arrests and investigations, directly improving our operational response to wildlife crime in Tanzania.”