Title: The police called to fulfill their mission of protection without unnecessary hassle
During a parade organized on June 12, 2023, General Sylvano Kasongo, provincial police commissioner, reminded the Kinshasa police of the importance of their mission to protect the population and their property. He urged them to fulfill this mission with integrity and without unnecessary hassle.
The general also underlined their role in defending the integrity of the country against the threat of armed groups from the East. In addition, he reminded them that their employer is the population, which provides for the equipment of the police and their salaries through taxes and levies.
The police commander also called on officers to prohibit police killings. He warned the police officers who extort property from the population during patrols, recalling that this behavior does not correspond to the instructions of the hierarchy.
General Kasongo admitted that there is a staffing problem within the police, but has planned recruitment to enable replacement of elements who do not work according to instructions. He also announced a rotation of police officers to improve their effectiveness in the field.
Finally, the police commander called for the neutrality of police officers during political demonstrations, emphasizing their apolitical role during these events.
The words of General Kasongo encourage the police to concentrate on their mission of protecting the population, defending the integrity of the country and maintaining public order without unnecessary harassment. This word is reassuring for the people of Kinshasa, who often suffer the abuses of the police during patrols.