Last Updated on: 16th November 2021, 09:12 pm
By Robert Edwomu
Soroti – 16, November 2021: Uganda Police Force (UPF) has dismissed 192 police officers accused of consistently engaging in corrupt and indiscipline tendencies.
Police top officials revealed that more officers are pending dismissal over the same ‘crime’.
The Inspector General of Police chairs police council. The council is mandated to suspend, discharge or expel police personnel who engage in acts that are deemed against police standards.
Such officer range from Police Constable (PC) to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). Any dismissal must be effected after a fair hearing in the Police Court and Appellate Court of the force, respectively.
Senior officers from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) can only be dismissed after a fair trial by Police Authority which is chaired by Minister for Internal Affairs.
James Ocaya is the acting director of research and planning says at UPF. He said the dismissal in intended at revamping the police reputation already ruined by some unpatriotic officers.
He announced that people have lost trust in the police because of few individuals that have acted in a wired manner.
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“The Inspector General of Police is committed to improving the welfare of officers but upon them showing attitude of good work,” he added.
He further said many more errant officers are before “disciplinary system as investigations are underway”.
The director warned officers to change their attitude towards work if they are to escape dismissal.
Police is still challenged with lack of establishments in over 700 sub counties across the district. Ocaya has therefore called on the locals with land to offer especially in areas where there are no police station as government earmarks on the construction of 30 police stations in the current financial fear.
Andrew Sorowen is the Director Welfare and Production at UPF. He told locals that “Police services are free and whoever seeks for money should be reported for appropriate action.”
The Regional Police Commanders, District Police Commanders and other relevant officers to make their offices available to the civilians because in several scenarios locals want to engage with police but all in vain, Sorowen said.