9 September 2015 - UN Police (UNPOL) and South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) recently launched a community policing awareness campaign in Torit County’s Efanyak community.

According to Gabriel Adaka, an SSNPS warrant officer, crime can only be reduced when community members cooperate with police in identifying and reporting wrongdoings.

Stressing that every citizen was responsible for building South Sudan, UNPOL Officer Jone Banuve urged the Efanyak community to be law-abiding citizens and report crimes in their community to police.

“Do not underestimate yourselves because you can build this country,” said Mr. Banuve. “A strong nation is only determined by the security situation.”

SSNPS Community Policing Officer Paska Enomo urged the community to call the police hot line in case of any crime. “We do not want criminals to disturb you. You need to call so that we come to your rescue.”

She noted that criminal cases like murder and rape must be reported to the police, while minor crimes with no injuries involved could be settled by community leaders.

Rebecca Emene, a member of the Efanyak community, said UNPOL community policing should continue as it had opened their eyes on handling and reducing crimes.

“We don’t want thieves and drunkards,” said Ms. Emene. “We need peace and if anybody is doing anything to the contrary, such training can help put him or her back (in order).”

Moses Boboya, another community member, said there was no police post in the area, making it a safe haven for criminals to operate with confidence. He appealed to the government to build a police post so that crimes like the killing of four people last month would not be repeated.

“Crimes happen here because there are no organized forces,” said Mr. Boboya. “The police are not doing patrols and this area is not demarcated.”

Efanyak community member Paul Eka urged the state government to visit the area. “Sometimes you call the police they don’t come, they say it is far. We are not happy with this kind of behavior.”