Police officers during a graduation parade. (-)

Unity State Governor Riek Bim has directed the deployment of at least 381 police officers graduated from a six-month refresher training on December 23 and tasked them to maintain law and order.

The officers are to be deployed across various areas of the state to support efforts to combat crime and promote community safety.

A statement from the governor’s office said the refresher training aims to bolster law enforcement in the state and with its neighboring regions and enhance the maintenance of order.

The state police commissioner Maj. Gen. Gatkuoth Duop also briefed the forces on their much needed professional services in the communities.

He reminded them of their mandate to protect the people and their properties and arrest offenders.

”Police are the heart of the government. Today, you must know that police are entitled to protect the local people, know how to pursue and arrest offenders,” Duop said.

He told the officers that they must carry out criminal investigations in accordance with the directives from the attorney generals and fully discharge your duties professionally.

On his part, the state governor emphasized the importance of a well-trained police force in addressing security challenges and ensuring the safety of citizens.

“As you are going to be officially deployed after this graduation ceremony, I command you to maintain laws and orders, and the aim is to make a professional police force with capability and capacity as well as duties oriented,” Bim said.

“During this X-mass, I want you to maintain security in the areas you will be deployed to, and this X-mass must be colorful.”