South Sudan Police march on July 9, 2013

The National Police Service says it has taken security measures to regain the trust of people living in UN camps.

The inspector General of Police said the police service will work jointly with UN police and conduct patrols in residential areas in Juba to enable IDPs to return to their homes.

General Pieng Deng told Eye Radio that people in UN camps still feel insecure going back home.

“We cannot just tell people to return home without putting security measures in place,” he said, “because at least to assure individuals about their security, and that is very important, and this is why we are making these arrangements.”

He said the joint security effort of the government and UN police will ensure citizens are protected without discrimination.

“We are making it as joint arrangements because also since they are staying now in UNMISS.

“Then if they see elements of UNMISS in their residential areas, they will feel secure, not because we are not going to make them secure but because psychologically, we need to convince them.”

General Pieng said that soldiers and police officers who killed civilians in Juba during the crisis will be taken to court.

He said the police service is also working on reintegrating former police officers who defected during the fighting.

Thousands of people from Kor-William, Munuki 107, Gudele and Tong Piny fled to UNMISS compounds after fighting erupted on December 15^th.