Investigate cases before effecting arrest - Kayihura

The Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura issued new directives demanding Police officers first investigate cases instead of arresting suspects and confining them in cells for long.

Kayihura was reacting to complaints from Kibuku Member of Parliament Herbert Kinobero who complained that Police were arresting and detaining his constituents for several days without taking them to court. 

Kayihura noted that with the exception of the capital or serious offences, the Police should first ascertain the facts and investigate before rushing to arrest suspects.

"Community policing is not arresting. Arresting should be the last resort. The principle method should be prevention and engagement. First investigate before you arrest" he said.

Kayihura noted that most of the officers were still in the old policing regime.

"Most of you are still in the old policing regime, why do you rush to arrest? First investigate and when you have enough evidence, you go for the person who committed the crime," he added.

He also noted that the old policing dealt with symptoms while the new policing went to the core roots of the problem. 

The IGP was speaking during the commissioning of a Police station built by crime preventers in Nansyono village, Mikombe parish, Kiriki Sub County, Kabweri constituency, Kibuku district in Eastern Uganda.

The station becomes the first one to be built by crime preventers in the whole country.

He praised the crime preventers describing them as patriotic and nationalistic for the job they had done, He encouraged police officers to work with crime preventers to enforce the principle of 'neighbourhood watch'

The land where the Police station was built was donated by the family of the late Samuel Luzige and the crime preventers made bricks, mobilized for firewood that burnt the bricks, collected money for cement and built the office block themselves.

The Police post which was constructed.

Kayihura said he was extremely happy with crime preventers in Kibuku district describing it as the model district in implementing and grasping the doctrine of community policing.

He took his officers through the three pillars of community policing which included prevention of crime, partnership with the local community and problem solving.

He promised the youths support and urged them to write down their business plans and forward them to his office.

At the same event, Kayihura re-baptized the Uganda Police Force officers who attended the function calling them ‘Community Organizers.'

The IGP further pledged to build a community hall for the people of Kirika to complement the Police station built by crime preventers.

In attendance were the RDCs of Kibuku and Pallisa, LCV chairpersons of Kibuku and Budaka districts, area MPs, religious leaders and the local leaders.

At the same function, residents donated land to Police to construct more stations.