20 February 2014 - Seeking reduce crime, UNPOL and the South Sudanese police organized a training for the newly established Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) today in Cuei-Cok, south of the Lakes State capital Rumbek.

The training focused on cooperation between the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) and the community in preventing crime.

“The Committee can help in avoiding crises by reporting problems to the police,” said Committee Chairperson Elijah Machar Apach.

The PCRC has been set up because the area has an insufficient number of police officers, according to UNPOL Community Policing Coordinator Siaka Kamara. “That is why the police needs to partner with the community -- to prevent crimes together.”

Made up solely of civilians, the PCRC in Cuei-Cok consists of 42 community leaders from three different bomas (town areas). It will work with police to prevent crime by reporting any problems in the community.

Community leaders will meet on a regular basis to discuss problems in the payam, and will alert police about any incidents. The cooperation is meant to build trust through a better relationship between police and community.

SSNPS Officer Peter Woll Mayon outlined different challenges in Cuei-Cok.

“Our main problems are cattle raiding, adultery and elopement,” he said. “It is good that the Committee has been established. The community will report to us what is going (on), and together we can solve the problems.”