The police of the province of Kinshasa organized a parade to evoke various problems which affect the Congolese city. General Sylvano Kasongo, provincial police commissioner reminded his elements of their mission to protect property and people and insisted on the need to fight against traffic jams caused by road harassment and crime in the city. He also highlighted the importance of the population as an employer and source of funding for the police, stressing that the police are there to serve, not to extort or brutalize the population.
The general acknowledged that there is a staffing problem within the Congolese national police, but announced a new recruitment to allow the police hierarchy to set aside all those who do not work according to the instructions given. He also urged the police to keep their neutrality during political demonstrations and to avoid brutality.
Despite the remarks made by General Kasongo, the people of Kinshasa continue to denounce police blunders and extortion practices. Indeed, some elements of the police engage in wrongdoing while on duty, which damages the image of the police and reduces their effectiveness.
It is therefore urgent that senior Congolese police leaders take strong measures to combat this unacceptable behavior. If the police are to earn the trust of the population, they must be above reproach and act with integrity. This parade by the Kinshasa provincial police is therefore a step in the right direction, but more efforts are needed to ensure the safety and protection of the citizens of the city.