A cross-section of police officers in West Nile Region was on Friday passed out after completing over two weeks training course in Public Order Management Act (POMA) in Arua. The trainees totaling to 202 comprised of Commanders and other ranks drawn from the districts of Arua, Nebbi, Zombo, Pakwach, Madi-Okollo, Maracha and Koboko.
The Chief Instructor, Sergeant Okiror Micheal said that this has been countrywide training aimed at giving skills and knowledge to police officers on POMA, to familiarise them with the equipment including use of tear gas, and to train them on human rights preservation in the course of duty.
“They were given both theoretical and practical skills and knowledge as exhibited by the show of various Demonstrations,” he sad.
The Regional Police Commander appreciated all the stakeholders including the management of Mvara SSS for the support and space rendered towards the training program and he said that this will prepare the officers to secure the coming elections more professionally.
The Mayor Arua Municipality thanked police management for organising such trainings and told fellow leaders to support police work instead of ganging with wrong elements to criticise police all the time.
The Brigade Commander West Nile urged them to be patriotic as they serve the country meanwhile the LC5 Chairperson Arua urged officers to always have side sources of income to enable them pay school fees for children, prepare well for retirement and above all not to engage in corrupt practices.
The trainees were later issued certificates of attendance and excellence and then transported back to their duty stations
The Guest of honor who happens to be RISO West Nile urged officers to make use of this knowledge attained from training to perfect themselves at work and become more professional.