Title: The installation of the new management team of the General Inspectorate of the Congolese National Police marks a new turning point
Introduction :
On July 19, 2023, the new leadership team of the General Inspectorate of the Congolese National Police was installed in the presence of senior officials and partners in police reform. This installation is part of the government’s vision of having a professional, apolitical and human rights-respecting police force. The Deputy Minister of the Interior recalled the importance of ensuring the proper execution of police missions and of cleaning up the behavior of agents. The new Inspector General has expressed his desire to make the Inspectorate General a real driver of change within the police.
The need for a human rights-respecting and professional police force
The Congolese government’s vision is to provide the country with a police force that meets international standards. This means a professional, apolitical, republican and human rights-respecting police force. Unfortunately, in the field, some police officers adopt behaviors contrary to these principles. Abuse and harassment are observed, tarnishing the image of the Congolese National Police. It is therefore essential to take measures to rectify these deviations.
The role of the Inspectorate General in police reform
To achieve the objectives of professionalization and respect for human rights, the General Inspectorate of the Congolese National Police plays a key role. As a control body, it must ensure the proper execution of the ordinary and extraordinary missions of the police, by exercising strict and rigorous control over its functioning. The General Inspectorate is also responsible for sanctioning any slippage, thus contributing to the improvement of practices and the fight against impunity within the police.
The objectives of the General Inspectorate of the PNC
The new Inspector General of the PNC expressed his wishes for the future of the General Inspectorate. He aspires to make it an audit structure and an engine of change for the police who resist the reform of the PNC. He wants the General Inspectorate to be the secular arm of the PNC General Commissariat, thus promoting a republican, democratic, accessible police force that listens to the population. Respect for fundamental rights and public freedoms is a priority in this approach.
Conclusion :
The installation of the new management team of the General Inspectorate of the Congolese National Police is a milestone in the reform of the police in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This installation demonstrates the government’s desire to professionalize the police, preserve human rights and fight against abusive behavior