By Hanning Mbabazi
Kampala: The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Martin Okoth Ochola has called upon new police recruits to avoid unprofessional conduct as they set off for their one-year training.
These remarks were made through a statement issued on Friday September 13, 2019.
In a statement, Ochola reminded the recruits that their journey to becoming part of the police begins with a 12 months’ course, before being confirmed at the rank of PPC or AIP at PTS whose environment he describes as stimulating and challenging.
“The successful candidates must note that they are joining a career that demands a high level of personal integrity and responsibility. You will need dedication, commitment and a willingness to train, for one to succeed in the structured training grounds,” Ochola said.
Ochola said a fine team of instructors is on-site to facilitate learners with scenario-based training programs, paramilitary, self-defence training grounds and weapon ranges.
The PPCs will replace close to 5,000 constables who have reportedly deserted police force since 2014 leaving the force with deficits in policing numbers while the AIPs, whose qualification was science or related courses will be deployed as forensic analysists, Information Technology – IT experts, scene of crime officers – Socos and detectives.
The Communication from the Inspector General of Police came shortly after the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga directed that police halts the recruitment citing anomalies in the process. He directive was based on complaints lodged by members of Parliament indicating that a number of eligible candidates were ambiguously eliminated.
MPs demanded that police tables before parliament a list of all recruits indicating their villages, sub-counties and districts of birth. They argued that the current list of recruits does not represent a national character.
On the basis of the complaints, Kadaga asked that the Ministry of Internal Affairs addresses the grievances from the different regions before the training takes effect.
A total of 4,500 Probation Police Constables – PPCs and 500 Learner Assistant Inspector of Police – AIPs were recently recruited in an exercise that started in July. They are due to start their training tomorrow September 14, at Police Training School – PTS Kabalye.
