South Sudan police officers | File photo

The National Police Service has launched issuance of identity cards to more than 22,000 police personnel in the country.

The ministry of interior confirmed the officers in their positions during a verification process which started in April this year, in which 38,000 personnel were screened.

The acting Minister of Interior and Wildlife Conservation, Augustino Jadala Camilo, said the IDs will help in differentiating real police officers from criminals.

He spoke during the launch at the police headquarters in Juba on Thursday.

“All this time, police were recognized as criminals because there are criminals in this country who wear police uniform,” Mr Camilo said.

“This card is going to rescue our image, I believe.”

The United Nations Development Program, UKAID, the government of Japan, and UMISS supported the screening process.