The National Advanced School of Local Administration (NASLA) based in Buea, has admitted its first batch of Municipal Police trainees, a programme that the government says will improve the capacity of Municipal Police to maintain order in urban areas.
This is the first time Municipal Police in Cameroon will be undergoing formal training, as each Municipal Council has usually orientated its own police force.
The first session of the basic training for Municipal Police kick-started at NASLA on July 7 and the Minister of Decentralization and Local Development, Georges Elanga Obam, is due to officially launch the programme on July 10.
At NASLA, they will be trained in the management of public liberties, urban order management techniques, public assistance, civil protection and other field within their
competence.
This is spelled out in Section 18 of the August 2022 Presidential Decree laying down conditions for Municipal policing.
“This training is part of a large movement of reforms at the local level, which is aimed at regularizing the municipal police services in view of their importance in maintaining order and order in our cities,” the Ministry of Decentralization (MINDEVEL) said in a statement.
Municipal Magistrates at local Councils have the responsibility of enrolling their officers for the program.
MINDEVEL said the training will enable Municipal Police to obtain knowledge on the laws governing their profession and the ethical principles guiding the job.
Municipal Police officers in Cameroon have often been at logger heads with the population, which accused them of brutality and corruption.
However, their services have remained essential to helping local Councils execute their projects, collect taxes and maintain order.
Based on the law governing their function, Municipal Police in Cameroon have the duty to keep the street passable either by clearing garbage, controlling traffic, or removing items blocking passage within cities.
They also have the duty of transporting, burial and exhumation of corpses, and maintenance of order and decency in cemeteries; ensuring the safety of edible foodstuffs displayed for sale; implementing emergency protection strategies; implement measures against the mentally deranged persons; prevent stray animals from damaging property; demolition of buildings constructed without building permits; among other duties.
