The Inspector General of the South Sudan Police Service issued a warning to police officers, advising them not to allow politicians to arbitrarily arrest citizens without following protocol.
Police around the nation are susceptible, according to the IGP since politicians often use their influence to force police personnel to make unwarranted arrests and hold suspects without charge or trial for extended periods of time.
When discussing the issue of land grabbing at the 7th Governors Forum last year, the governor of Jonglei State brought up the same issue—politicians using the police to intimidate villagers.
Atem Marol Biar, the Inspector General of Police, promises to change the police force to behave professionally when on duty.
“The police can work professionally when they are trained. You see, these officers who are influenced by politicians are untrained, but upon being trained on the law, they will be answerable for all questions and situations.”
“If someone comes to drive you into politics, just tell them that you are a police officer and not a politician.”
General Atem reports that he has given copies of police professional and conduct rules written in both Arabic and English to all the officers to be given to them during training during his ten-day tour in the Bahr el Ghazal.
