In a bid to bolster security and effectiveness, Kiira Regional Police Commander, SSP Charles Nsaba, has called upon Divisional/District Police Commanders (DPCs) and Officers in Charge of Stations (OCs) to adopt proactive policing methods.
Speaking during a meeting held at the Uganda Civil Service College in Jinja City, Nsaba emphasized the need to move beyond traditional approaches.
He advised officers to leverage intelligence gathering, intensify visible patrols (both motorized and foot patrols), and engage in community policing, particularly during weekends.
Nsaba, who took over the region a few months ago, also stressed the importance of implementing the sub-county policing model, a government initiative aimed at enhancing grassroots security.
He instructed DPCs to ensure all components of the model are put in place and well-supervised.
Furthermore, SSP Charles Nsaba addressed concerns regarding investigative practices.
He cautioned Criminal Investigative Officers (CIDs) against operating as “armchair officers,” emphasizing the need for hands-on engagement to gather insightful knowledge and information.
The Regional CID Chief Monday Johnson Agaba reinforced Nsaba’s message, reminding CIDs to incorporate sniffer dogs and Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) into investigations, especially for capital offenses.
Agaba also issued a stern warning against human rights abuses, including suspect torture, sexual abuse of female suspects in custody, and mismanagement of defilement cases.
He emphasized that perpetrators would face disciplinary actions or criminal charges, depending on evidence and guidance from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The meeting, attended by regional heads of departments, DPCs, departmental heads, OCs, and specialized units like Field Force Unit (FFU) personnel, aimed to share new concepts of operations focusing on policing beyond territorial borders.
According to the Kiira Regional Police Spokesperson SP James Mubi, the “Policing Beyond Borders” concept aims to enhance inter-jurisdictional cooperation and effective pursuit of suspects who cross territorial boundaries.
“…for instance if CPS Jinja Central is conducting operations then Buwenge and Kakira should do the same, or if Kiira is conducting operations, then Busoga East and Busoga North should do the same…”Mubi explains.
The key objectives are to prevent suspects from evading justice by crossing into neighboring jurisdictions. It is also to foster collaboration and information sharing among territorial police units and to ensure seamless pursuit and apprehension of suspects.
This push for enhanced policing strategies signals a commitment to improving security and justice in the Kiira region.
The region has always witnessed surges in crimes especially in designated dark spots like Mafubira, Namulesa, Wanyama Road Budhumbuli and Wairaka.
As can be recalled, President Yoweri Museveni’s sub-county policing model, launched in 2020, aims to enhance security at the grassroots level.
While announcing the model during a nationwide televised address, President Museveni told Ugandans the same was used by the colonialists before Uganda attained independence in 1962.
This model involves deploying 18 or 20 officers per sub-county, which can be effective if adequately funded. The other components include three motorcycles, counter phone, radio call and community policing.
The primary goal is to build trust and reduce fear among citizens by fostering community-police collaboration. The key objective is to encourage active participation of community members on policing through regular meetings and feedback mechanisms.
It is also to enhance intelligence gathering by leveraging local knowledge to identify and address security threats and to prevent crime by focusing on preventive measures rather than reactive responses.
Once implemented well, the model is expected outcomes include reduced crimes, improved community-police relations, enhanced trust and confidence in the policing system and more effective response to the local security concerns.
By implementing this model, President Yoweri Museveni, an acclaimed security expert, aims to create a safer and more secure environment for Ugandan citizens.
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