5 September 2013 - To improve their communication skills, South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) officers in Upper Nile State concluded a three-month English course in the state capital Malakal today.

Conducted by UN Police (UNPOL), the training was aimed at creating smooth working relations and better communication between the SSNPS and their working partners. The English course was the first of its kind in the state.

Some 42 participants, including nine women, were awarded certificates by UNMISS State Coordinator Deborah Schein and state SSNPS Commissioner Maj. Gen. Thukul Ayom Deng in a ceremony at the force's headquarters.

"This is a very valuable training and we should treat it as such," said Maj. Gen Deng. "When you go back to your respective work place, remember to put what you have learned in practice."

He thanked UNMISS for its continued support to the police force, especially in building the capacity of officers.

"We are here to develop skills and competencies of SSNPS with the aim of making them a world class police service adhering to democratic policing principles," said Ms. Schein.

UNPOL officer Skhumbuzo Mathebula said the training focused on comprehension, grammar, pronunciation and tenses. He noted that all participants had performed well.

"We (urge UNPOL) to continue with these programmes ... as communication is very important in our daily work," said Second Lieutenant Kir Gatchai Kier, a participant.