11 May 2015 - To better acquaint themselves with the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) confidence and trust building policing strategy, members of the force today attended a sensitization workshop.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Central Equatoria State Police Commissioner Major General Henry Danima Odu stressed the importance of the programme.

He noted that it is aimed at winning back the public’s trust, with particular focus on encouraging the safe and voluntary return of internally displaced persons to their former areas of residence.

“What we want to promote is that when you have done this two-week course you will treat people with respect and dignity,” said UN Police (UNPOL) Community Policing Advisor Dean Henson. “You will engage with people, speak with them trying to find out what their particular problems are and with the community solve those problems.
In effect, you, the police, are part of the community.”

Mr. Henson added that the workshop was aimed at ensuring that all communities, regardless of who or where they are in South Sudan, would become confident and increase their trust in policing.

During the two-week seminar, the specially selected officers will participate in lectures and practical activities focusing on community policing, sexual and gender-based violence, child protection and human rights.

The deputy team leader of the UNPOL Community Policing unit, Cecilia Dunster, acknowledged the representation of female SSNPS officers who make up almost a third of the class.

To support the workshop, UNPOL assisted SSNPS counterparts on the development of the programme and will monitor and advise throughout. UNMISS Human Rights and Child Protection units will also deliver lectures.