The Centre for Instruction and Application of Police (CIAP) in Moutengene recently trained 167 new municipal police officers, marking an effort to transform law enforcement into a more humane and effective community police force. The graduation ceremony for this third class took place on February 26, providing the public with an opportunity to assess the quality of their training and discover the graduates.
Among the top graduates of this class, Winfried Benome Eyidi and Patience Bikoti, both from the Douala 3rd Arrondissement Municipality, particularly stood out, ranking second and fifth respectively. Ngo Mayada Chimène was named the most dedicated trainee, while Winfried Benom Eyidi was also recognized for his discipline. This class consisted of trainees from seven different municipalities.
These 35 new municipal police officers from Douala 3rd must take an oath, a crucial step that will finalize their recruitment, in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 2022/232 of August 9, 2022, which governs the exercise of municipal policing in Cameroon.
It is important to emphasize that the municipal police do not replace the forces of law and order and do not have a monopoly on legitimate physical violence, which remains the prerogative of the State. The municipal police do not have the right to repress, coerce, or use coercive force, as specified in Articles 30 paragraph 2 and 31 paragraph 3 of Decree No. 2022/354 of August 9, 2022. The use of force by a municipal police officer automatically results in disciplinary sanctions and legal proceedings. Municipal police officers are not allowed to carry weapons.
By structuring the municipal police in this way, the State reaffirms its distinction and monopoly on the use of force, avoiding any confusion with other entities, even those emanating from local authorities. The role of the municipal police is to maintain public order, safety, and tranquility in the municipality, in collaboration with the national law enforcement agencies.
Decree No. 2022/354 of August 9, 2022, specifies that the municipal police are placed under the authority of the mayor and that its officers must ensure the safety and convenience of passage through streets, quays, public squares, and roads. They are also responsible for the transport, burial, and exhumation of bodies, as well as maintaining order and decency in cemeteries.
The training of these 167 new agents represents an important step towards a more professional municipal police force, better equipped to meet the needs of local populations. The evaluation of their effectiveness in the field now rests with the citizens.
