UN Police

UNPOL police UNMISS South Sudan Protection of Civilians

At UNMISS, UNPOL works to protect civilians by providing a safe and secure environment for South Sudanese people who have fled violence and sought sanctuary at Protection of Civilian (PoC) sites with the aim of ensuring durable peace across the country.

Who we are

The United Nations Police or UNPOL is tasked with enhancing international peace and security by supporting countries in conflict, post-conflict and other crisis situations. Across peace operations worldwide, UNPOL works with military and civilian peacekeepers to protect civilians, build peace and help implement individual mission mandates.

At UNMISS, UNPOL works to protect civilians by providing a safe and secure environment for South Sudanese people who have fled violence and sought sanctuary at Protection of Civilian (PoC) sites with the aim of ensuring durable peace across the country. Police officers also support efforts to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and to promote human rights by engaging directly with the communities they serve.

Our mandate

  • Protect civilians from threats of physical violence.
  • Monitor and report abuses and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
  • Support the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance.
  • Support the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.
  • Provide technical assistance and advice to the South Sudan National Police Service and other national law enforcement agencies.

Our presence

Currently 1,446 UNPOL personnel are deployed in 10 regions across South Sudan. Of these, 847 belong to Formed Police Units, 561 are Individual Police Officers, while 38 are correctional services staff.

What we do

The measures taken by UNPOL to protect people living in UN protection sites include preventive and visibility patrols, confidence and trust building patrols, cordon and search operations to maintain the civilian nature of these sites, screening access control, security incident assessments as well as engaging with community leaders and other stakeholders.

To build the capacity and effectiveness of the South Sudan Police Service and other national law enforcement agencies, UNPOL provides technical assistance and advice in line with human rights principles and international humanitarian law. UNPOL also conducts community policing exercises to strengthen community involvement in crime prevention and to build partnerships with the people we are here to serve.

Our achievements

  • Ensuring safety, security and protection of civilians within and outside the PoC sites.
  • Establishing and revamping Police Community Relations Committees for crime prevention and community cohesiveness.
  • Ongoing training and sensitization activities on internationally accepted policing standards for the South Sudan National Police Service and other local law enforcement agencies.
  • Developing a Five-Year Strategic Plan for the South Sudan National Police Service and contributing to their Action Plan on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence.
  • Facilitating the construction of police stations/posts for the South Sudan National Police Service to enhance their service delivery and the protection of civilians.

The road ahead

UNMISS is committed to helping build durable peace in South Sudan. It does this by working as an impartial partner with the people of South Sudan at a national and sub-national level. This includes working closely with political, religious, traditional and community leaders as well as communities and individuals across the country. The priorities are to advance reconciliation efforts, strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms and build national cohesion as well as to engage in regional and international peace initiatives.

UNPOL activities to support these outcomes include:

  • Hosting sports and cultural events designed to bring communities together for reconciliation and peace-building;
  • Maintaining safety and security in PoC sites by patrolling, responding to security incidents, gathering information, carrying out training sessions and providing health and family education.
  • Supporting the safe, voluntary return of displaced people from PoCs to their homes by carrying out visibility patrols and working closely with the South Sudan National Police Service to create safer environments in communities across the country.
  • Helping the South Sudan National Police Service develop policies and guidelines to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.  
  • Monitoring, investigating and reporting on human rights violations and incidents of gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, through the monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangement.