By William Madouk
South Sudan National Police Service graduated 1,000 police officers after successfully completing a 6-month refreshment training in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
Addressing the officers, the Assistance Inspector General of Police for Training, Lt-Gen, James Duop said the refreshment training is to up the capacity of the officer to maintain law and order.
He directed the officers to respect the law and abide by human rights laws when performing their duties.
Also, the Police Commissioner of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Maj-Gen Philip Madut said the graduation is part of the initiative initiated by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Gen. Atem Marol, to prepare the police force for the elections which are just months away.
“We collected police forces from various departments, traffic, CID, Operation and counties totalling one thousand (1000) police officers and NCOs,” he said.
“We opened refresher course training on January 15, 2024, among 100, 12 are officers, 4 majors, 4 captains, one 1st Lt and three 2nd Lts. These officers joined willingly to be trained with NCOs,” he added.
General Madut explained that apart from training and drills, the trainees had undergone various training in laws, crime investigations riot control and crowd management.
Besides, Madut stressed that the graduated policemen had faced lack of food including uniforms ‘there is a need to provide adequate uniform, police are always unique in visibility and appearance.’
“Our plan in NBGs is to train over 4,000 police officers and NCOs before December 2024 but this plan is likely to be challenged by feeding and uniform,” he noted.
He revealed that two police officers passed away while undertaking the training.
Also, the governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, Simon Uber Mawut urged the police to strengthen its duty of maintaining law and order in the state.
“After your graduation, we do not want to lose lives and properties, you must protect the lives and properties of our people that is your responsibility as police,” Uber said.
“Your graduation is a big relief for the officials in the state and I would like to assure you that I will do all that is within my reach to work with you so that we secure our state,” he added.
Meanwhile, the representative of UNPOL-UNMISS, Mrs Esfner Actiong said, “we witness your dedication, resilience and determination in horning skills to serve and protect your fatherland.”
“This graduation marks a significant milestone in your journey and reflects the commitment to upholding law and order in South Sudan,” she added.
The graduation was graced by Assistance Inspector General of Police for Training, Lt-Gen, James Duop, the governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Simon Uber Mawut including UNPOL- UNMISS in Aweil.