Uganda Police Head of Community Policing Department, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Anatoli Muletelwa has urged local council chairpersons to always handle civil matters other than forwarding them to police.
Muletelwa was on Wednesday addressing local leaders, communities and police officers from Namutumba and Bugiri districts respectively, during the launch of police roll-out of community policing sessions in light of the festive season.
"It's not within our desires to sustain civil matters. Those are matters supposed to be handled by local council chairpersons and courts so that we avoid incidents where our policemen are acting as court bailiffs. Give us an opportunity to concentrate on our core responsibility of fighting crime," Muletelwa emphasized.
ACP Muletelwa meanwhile urged the leaders to know their responsibilities as they work hand in hand with the Police to fight against crime. "In an effort to roll out community policing and build a more strong relationship with the community, we have rolled up our engagements to upcountry stations. We started with Namutumba and Bugiri districts and this is desired to build a strong interactive and more connected policing between our Police Officers and the community," he said.
"Our target group has been the local council leaders from LC1 to LC5, Officer in Charge of Stations, DPCs, GISOs, and councilors. This will help pass the information right from the top leadership of the district up to the lowest," he added
Muletelwa said police is emphasizing the responsibility of the local council chairpersons in as far as security is concerned “in line with the Local Government Act section 26 which states that local leaders shall at all times work with the security organs in order to enforce law and order."
The Police Community Policing boss also addressed police officers from Iganga Police Station, an interaction the Force says is geared towards improving the morale of police officers “as we head towards the festive season.”
He implored the officers to work closely with the community so as to fight criminality. "Go to the ground and engage the public, and be on the lookout to detect and prevent crime," he said.
Crime normally goes up during the festive season as people look out for means of merrymaking.
