The Ministry of Interior says it is a crime for police officers to extort money from people.

The National Police spokesperson also says it is illegal to bribe a police officer – even if you are approached by the officer.

This morning Eye Radio listeners sent text messages alleging that police officers have been extorting money from residents of Jebel Yesua.

The residents of the area said the officers demanded each household pay 25 South Sudanese Pounds so they could buy food and as a contribution towards their night patrols in the area.

However, the national spokesperson of the police service, Colonel James Monday Enoka, says it is illegal for police officers to ask residents to pay them.

Colonel Monday said the government has a budget for all police officers –including those conducting night patrols.

“There is nothing like that, the police have got their budget, there is security budget,” said Col Monday.

He called on the public to report any case of indiscipline by police officers to the nearest police unit in the residential areas.

“I think our people should be helping us also in enforcing the law,” he said. “That is why we always say they should report to the police authorities so that we apprehend such people and bring them to the police court in Bulluk, because we have the professional standard which will check on the behavior of the police.

Colonel Monday Enoka said residents should be able to recognize officers involved in such cases and immediately report them to the authorities.

Last year, the Ministry of Interior announced telephone numbers for the zonal commanders in Juba that the public can use to reach the police in case of an emergency.

And the five numbers are as follows:

0917003014 or 0956272222 and 0956386360 or 0913293938 and 0914549889.