OC Ciforo police commended for parish-to-parish community engagement initiative

The Officer in Charge (OC) of Ciforo Police Post in Adjumani district, Inspector of Police Barigo Charles, has launched a new community outreach initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between the police and residents.

The initiative will be achieved through community policing at the parish level.

In a move described as the first of its kind in the area, the OC has begun visiting each parish in Ciforo sub-county to educate the community on the roles and responsibilities of the police.

The initiative, which recently reached Okangali parish, has been widely hailed by residents as a positive and much-needed step towards improving community safety and cooperation.

According to the OC Barigo Charles, the idea of moving parish by parish is intended to “bring the community closer to us.” He emphasised that the police have a duty to identify offences within communities before they escalate into serious crimes.

“It is our role as police to identify offences in the community so that when they happen, we handle them at the right time,” the OC explained, adding that many issues arise simply because of ignorance among community members.

Residents of Okangali parish expressed appreciation for the OC’s approach, saying it was the first time a police officer in the sub-county had taken the initiative to personally reach out and educate them on matters of law and order.

The LC II of Okangali parish, Irama Luke, applauded the OC and appealed for more engagement with police and other stakeholders.

Abio Jane, also a resident of Forukwa village in Okangali parish, similarly appreciated OC and noted that most times women have suffered because they are ignorant about the law and their rights.

Community leaders noted that the awareness sessions have helped them better understand how to report cases, cooperate with the police, and prevent minor disputes from turning into major conflicts.

The OC reaffirmed his commitment to continue the outreach program across all parishes in Ciforo sub-county, stressing that proactive engagement between the police and the public is key to maintaining peace and security in the area.