Alain Likota/MONUSCO

Bukavu, 6 September 2011 – The Jules Moke instruction centre in Bukavu, Sud-Kivu province, served as the venue for the launching, on Monday, 5 September 2011, of a training program intended for 279 Community Police Officers of the Congolese National Police (PNC).

Supported by the British Government's Department for International Development (DFID), and implemented by the United Nations Police (UNPOL) the concept of community policing is to bring the police force closer to the population. The program, which was launched by the provincial governor, Marcellin Cishambo, is at its second phase. The first phase took place between 13 June and 9 July this year, involving 12 Congolese police officers and one non-commissioned officer trained as trainers.

The four-month training will impart basic knowledge of the UN Police work ethics on the trainees. It includes pedagogical modules, practical exercises and other modules specifically related the concept of community policing.

This concept is designed to develop and nurture a relationship of mutual trust between communities and the police, so as to enable the law enforcement officers to better respond to the security needs of the citizens. The training, which is undertaken within the framework of the security sector reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is part of a pilot project that also covers Bas-Congo and Kasai Occidental provinces.

Upon completion of this training, the United Nations Police would have trained more than 650 Congolese police officers this year in the province of Sud-Kivu alone.

Alain Likota/ MONUSCO