Creating a secure environment for the return of internally displaced people (IDPs) from UNMISS bases to their homes was a police priority, the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) chief said in Juba today.

“In order to accomplish this … I have initiated (an) activity flow chart to prepare my officers to handle the tasks related to protection of civilians adequately,” said General Pieng Deng Koul. “My intention is for these activities to adhere to best practices in the protection of civilians and to perform accordingly with the realm of international human rights.”

The Inspector General of Police outlined a seven-activity strategy to a meeting attended by acting UNMISS Chief Raisedon Zenenga, UN Police (UNPOL) Commissioner Fred Yiga, and representatives of the diplomatic corps.

The presentation followed several meetings held in July between UNMISS, UNPOL and SSNPS leadership, which Gen. Kuol described as “important catalysts for future operational coordination” between the three bodies.

“Whereas protection of civilians in South Sudan is a core mandate of the SSNPS, my intention is to obtain support from the international community and supportive partners to expand upon the current abilities and inadequacies of the police institution,” said Gen. Kuol.

The activity flow chart, which will kick off in Juba as a pilot project, was drawn up in the expectation that the 2015 Security Council mandate will expire in November 2014, he noted.

The first activity would be relocating more than 300 SSNPS officers to Juba from unaffected states to participate in the SSNPS Confidence and Trust Building Policing Strategy, which was initiated in April 2014, he said.

Other activities would include conducting sensitization seminars on human rights and workshops to focus on good practices regarding police presence, patrol methods, establishment of civilian complaint mechanisms and community policing initiatives.