A new independent review of police conduct during the 2014 Christmas and New Years’ celebrations found that police did a better job providing security and not abusing citizens this year compared to the past.

The 2014 Police Services Performance Report, conducted by the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said that civilians viewed police conduct as more respectful during the holidays than previous years.

“The police were viewed by the citizens as law enforcement agents who offer better protection and security in the year 2014 compared with 2011, 2012 and 2013,” the oversight report said. “Majority of the citizens describe the role played by the police during providing protection in Christmas and New Year celebrations as remarkable and reasonably professional."

Interviews with 2000 people in the major cities across South Sudan indicated that civilians appreciated the police’s new 777 emergency hotline as well as the punishment of over 100 soldiers who fired their weapons in celebration. CEPO noted a special court was set up to try police and soldiers who committed offences.

One person who interacted with police told CEPO: “South Sudan police service have [for the] first time demonstrated to me that they are police for civilians’ protection not police for civilians’ mistreatment. I met some police officers at 2:00am when I was drunk. The officers peacefully escorted me home. They ensured that I entered our compound safely. None of them attempted with my pocket, phone, or beating me. Those are police officers with friendly heart for service provision. I wished all police officers are like them.”

Hospital officials said the majority of patients were brought to them by police rather than relatives, indicating the officers’ assistance of civilians.

Still, the 2014 survey found numerous problems with police conduct. CEPO said police and military personnel, some of whom were taking alcohol, were involved in looting and robbing citizens during house to house weapons searches. In Juba's Gudele neighborhood, men in uniform stole at least seven phones as well as money from civilians.

There were reports of sexual harassment of women by men in uniform too, as well as officers assuming that women were responsible for crimes.

In Yei, Aweil, Rumbek, Bor and Nimule, meanwhile, people in uniform harassed and intimidated civilians. In Yei, civilians said that there were no police officers at their station.

The 777 emergency line also had problems. “Some police officers of 777 initiative do get drunk during duty hours and this often makes them to misbehave by confiscating phones, favoring tribe mate, or negotiateing for a bribe to compromise with the criminal,” CEPO reported.

Further, there were times when police did not answer calls to the hotline. In other cases, officers anwered but did not respond to the incident on the ground or showed up very late. Police were said to neglect incidents in Manga Ten, Gabat, Gumbo, Jebel Dinka, Lokwilili extension, and Gudele blocks 7, 8 and 9 around Juba.

CEPO recommended consistent staffing of the 777 hotline if civilians are to trust the service, as well as better naming of streets so police can capably respond to incidents.

The full report is available for download below.

File photo: Police training in Western Bahr al Ghazal, South Sudan (UNDP)