Over 900 police officers graduate in Lakes State

JUBA – At least 1,000 police officers graduated in Lakes State after completing six months of refresher training.

Lakes State Governor Rin Tueny Mabor thanked police Inspector General Atem Marol Biar for the training and the organization of the South Sudan police service, particularly in Lakes State.

“When I arrived in Lakes State, our police soldiers, prison service soldiers, and wildlife were the targets,” he said.

“Through commitment, despite challenges of no services and transport for police and security forces, we have provided real service to our citizens in Lakes State. We can say today that there is security in Lakes State, and this stability will be attributed to your administration and commands in the police service,” he added.

He thanked former police commissioner General Madut Ngor and all police officers who served during his time as police commissioner in Lakes State.

“The graduation ceremony of 1,000 police soldiers is a significant achievement for our security forces today in Lakes State. When you go to the police station, you may not find any police investigator, or if you do, there may be few,” he added.

He said the police are the identity of the nation and a reflection of its organization. He urged the police to remember that their uniforms are their identity, and that their colleagues in uniform are their tribe.

Lieutenant General Benjamin John, representing the national police service (NPS) in Juba, congratulated the police soldiers on completing their refresher training in Rumbek. He said this training was an opportunity for all police officers in South Sudan.

He expressed happiness with the strong police force in Lakes State and said the graduation ceremony was no different from those held in Juba.

UNPOL P.A. in Lakes State Alexander Rodin said it was a pleasure to be invited to the graduation ceremony. He said the police are called upon to solve community issues, ensure public safety, and perform their duties properly.

“Of course, it is necessary to conduct refresher training to address current challenges. It was a special pleasure for us to be invited to this refresher training program for almost two months. We closely interacted and learned from each other. I also thank you for requesting us to conduct training on ethics during the refresher training,” he added.

He thanked the outgoing police commissioner for his fruitful and excellent cooperation during his entire stay in Rumbek, especially during his time as police commander. He said the UN mandate would not have been achieved without him.

He expressed confidence that excellent cooperation would continue with the incoming police commissioner.

“Over the years, we have received cooperation from the government of South Sudan, Lakes State governor, and the leadership of the national police service (NPS) both in Juba and here in Lakes State in the execution of our mandate,” he said.

He said he hoped that cooperation in training and capacity building would continue.

Major General Moses Madut Ngor, former police commissioner in Lakes State, said he appreciated the commitment of those who obeyed orders and traveled from far counties for the training in Rumbek. He said it was not easy to leave their families in such a difficult situation.

“I would like to advise and encourage you as you graduate today to go out and maintain the same spirit you have shown to us here during your training. Take the little knowledge you have acquired and put it into practice and follow the legal procedures of all laws in the country as you swore today,” he said.

“I also want you to create a good relationship with the local community at your respective places of assignment as required by law because your cooperation and collaboration always build trust and confidence between police and the public. This gives you a strength that can enable you to achieve the ambition of the police in Lakes State and in the Republic of South Sudan at large,” he added.

He urged the police graduates to refrain from politics, especially police officers.

“Pay a high respect and show him your discipline, commitment, and hard work in all aspects for the success and obligation here,” he said.

Daniel Laat Kon, a civil society activist in Lakes State, said his message regarding the graduation was to motivate and sustain men in uniform. He said training and graduation had become a culture without considering how to motivate the existing personnel.

“We citizens will always continue to feel lied to and disappointed if the state continues to train personnel who are supposed to serve the nation and later end up in charcoal burning or becoming boda-boda riders,” he said.

He urged the newly graduated NCOs to respect themselves and the national laws as they enforce laws and order in the country.