Police urged to exercise caution
Sep 16, 2009
THE Netherlands has asked the Police force to exercise caution when dealing with civilians, saying mistakes could dent its image. Jeroen Verheul, the Dutch ambassador, said the Police were accountable to the public, which seems to have lost trust in them.
By Andante Okanya
THE Netherlands has asked the Police force to exercise caution when dealing with civilians, saying mistakes could dent its image. Jeroen Verheul, the Dutch ambassador, said the Police were accountable to the public, which seems to have lost trust in them.
“The recent riots in Kampala and the other areas were very disturbing. I watched television footage showing how some Police officers mistreated those apprehended. There is need to look into such negative images,†Verheul said.
A riot broke out last week when the Police officers blocked the Katikkiro, John Baptist Walusimbi, from going to Kayunga for the preparations of the Kabaka, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s visit.
Verheul was on Tuesday speaking at the annual forum for the Netherlands Programme for Institutional Strengthening of Post-secondary Education and Training Capacity at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
The forum was evaluating Netherlands’ assistance to the Police and the Prisons in capacity building of the justice law and order sector.
Verheul commended the Police and Prisons for the success of the four-year project that has built a network of trainers.
Ans Voordouw, the project leader, asked the Police to show responsibility and to use common sense when executing their duties.
“There is a demand for transparency, integrity and accountability, so this calls for a high degree of maturity and common sense,†Voordouw said.
She encouraged the Police to emulate the police from the West, saying it is cautious when handling people.
THE Netherlands has asked the Police force to exercise caution when dealing with civilians, saying mistakes could dent its image. Jeroen Verheul, the Dutch ambassador, said the Police were accountable to the public, which seems to have lost trust in them.
“The recent riots in Kampala and the other areas were very disturbing. I watched television footage showing how some Police officers mistreated those apprehended. There is need to look into such negative images,†Verheul said.
A riot broke out last week when the Police officers blocked the Katikkiro, John Baptist Walusimbi, from going to Kayunga for the preparations of the Kabaka, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s visit.
Verheul was on Tuesday speaking at the annual forum for the Netherlands Programme for Institutional Strengthening of Post-secondary Education and Training Capacity at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
The forum was evaluating Netherlands’ assistance to the Police and the Prisons in capacity building of the justice law and order sector.
Verheul commended the Police and Prisons for the success of the four-year project that has built a network of trainers.
Ans Voordouw, the project leader, asked the Police to show responsibility and to use common sense when executing their duties.
“There is a demand for transparency, integrity and accountability, so this calls for a high degree of maturity and common sense,†Voordouw said.
She encouraged the Police to emulate the police from the West, saying it is cautious when handling people.