Police Na Your Friend!

I found this write-up on Cameroon Tribune and it's quite interesting. It's on the efforts made by the Cameroon Police Force to improve on its image and service to the nation. Enjoy:

Both police authorities and the government have been taking steps to give the corps a better public perception.
There is no gainsaying that the Cameroon Police has over the years lost its credibility for several reasons, the most outstanding being allegations of corruption and extortion of money from members of the public. In order not to allow the image of a corps so important in ensuring the safety and security of citizens to continue to be tarnished, both the leadership of the police and government have been taking steps to correct the situation.

These include improving service conditions for men and women in the force. Not only have service cars been acquired for police officers, pick-up vans and mini-buses have similarly been provided to police units to step up patrols and track down criminal suspects. Such vehicles are often distributed at the national level by the Delegate General for National Security, DGSN, Martin Mbarga Nguele and at regional and divisional levels by other officials. On the other hand, officers now have more uniforms to choose from, with the introduction of the dark colour combat wear. Light-sensitive night vests to protect officers from being knocked down by distracted motorists have also been introduced. Traffic wardens are now provided with bicycles to enable them move around town easily. Moreover, pedaling bikes also helps in keeping fit.

Another incentive for encouraging hard work is the promotion of officers for demonstrated acts of gallantry. A recent case is the promotion of Chu Bernard Kum by President Paul Biya. The Head of State on April 1, 2015, signed a decree promoting him to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (‘Commissaire de police’). The decision was backdated to June 10, 2014, when the then ‘Officier de police de 3e grade’ (or Superintendent of Police), had his left arm chopped off with a machete by a marauding Central African Republic refugee in Bertoua, capital of the East Region, as the officer tried to save the life of someone under attack. In addition, the regular call-up of Cameroonian police contingents for United Nations peacekeeping duties around the world over the years has also served as incentive for greater hard work.

Concerning discipline, the Delegate General for National Security, Martin Mbarga Nguele, has for some years now placed a ban on erecting police highway checkpoints. The measure was sequel to the outcry by motorists and the general public over alleged recurrent acts of harassment and extortion of money by officers. On the other hand, a toll-free emergency number, 1500, now exists for members of the public to report misconduct by any officer. Not to let up the steam on corrupt and undisciplined officers, the Police Disciplinary Council often meets to consider reported cases. Only two weeks ago, several senior officers were summoned over radio to report in Yaounde for a disciplinary session during which they were to answer charges of gross misconduct, indiscipline and corruption, among others.