22 May 2014 - To bring more crimes to police attention, UN Police concluded a two-week training on community policing for 21 South Sudanese officers today in Rumbek, Lakes State.

Topics covered during the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) training of trainers course ranged from the philosophy of community policing and democratic policing to training methods and communication skills.

In community policing, residents assist police by bringing committed crimes to their attention. In this way, the community plays a vital role in helping police to identify perpetrators and reduce the crime rate.

“We have given you the knowledge and the materials, now you have to make use of it”, UNPOL Community Policing Officer Siaka Kamara told graduates of the course. “It is for you to teach it to your colleagues.”

It was the first course SSNPS officer Mangar Maluoc had attended on community policing. “It’s a good course. The relationship between the police and community is very important.”