Inspector General of Police General Atem Marol Biar. (SSNPS/Facebook).

The Inspector General of Police General Atem Marol has cautioned Criminal Investigation Department personnel against getting involved in criminal activities and operate within the law.

General Marol directed the CID officers to stick to its mandate of crime prevention and collection of the right information, according to a statement on the official Facebook page of the National Police Service.

General Marol reportedly said the CID personnel should work as a team and avoid being involved in all forms of criminal activities.

He issued directives during his first visit to the Directorate of C.I.D & Crimes Prevention headquarters on Friday.

The Interior Ministry’s spokesperson, Major General Daniel Justin, confirmed the directives in an interview with Eye Radio earlier on Monday.

“The meeting of the Inspector General of Police with the Criminal Investigation Department, it came as a result of citizens’ complaints about the bad behavior of criminal investigation personnel in the markets,” Justin said.

The police official further added that the order also came about as a result of the presence of “several criminal investigation personnel in the records of crimes committed in the city.”

He did not specify which crimes the police officers are committing.

“The meeting was about general guidance on the involvement of some members of the regular forces in some criminal acts and asked them to stay away from criminal activities.”

General Marol has launched a three-month strategy to organize policing institutions to be professional and efficient in executing its mandate of protecting civilians and their property.

He further re-enforced a 21-day crackdown on suspected gangs across Juba City during which over 300 youth were arrested and are currently awaiting investigations by the Central Equatoria Legal Department.