The Congolese National Police (French: Police nationale congolaise, PNC) is the national police force of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The national police consists of 110,000–150,000 officers and operates on the provincial level, answering to the Interior Ministry.[1] It is known in the DRC for corruption, repression of political dissidents, and other human rights abuses.[2] It is currently undergoing reforms. A police academy is being built.[3]
| Congolese National Police Police nationale Congolaise | |
|---|---|
.svg) Emblem of the Congolese National Police | |
| Common name | Police nationale congolaise |
| Abbreviation | PNC |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1997 |
| Employees | 100,000—150,000 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| National agency | DR Congo |
| Operations jurisdiction | DR Congo |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Kinshasa |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent agency | Ministry of the Interior |
The current Police Commissioner General is Dieudonne Amuli Bahigwa, a former Congolese army officer, who replaced Charles Bisengimana in July 2017.[4]
The former Kinshasa Police Commissioner, General Celestin Kanyama, was sanctioned by the United States in 2016 for his role in repressing citizens during anti-government protests using violence. He was removed from his post in 2017.[5]
The organisation's budget is approximately $257,130,643 (2015).
The PNC operates alongside the military police (police militaire or PM) to police the city of Kinshasa.
History
editThe legislation "Decree-Law N° 002-2002 On institution, organization and functioning of the Congolese national police" from 26 January 2002 establishes the role of the National Police (PNC) of the DRC.[6]
Starting in 2014, about 150 police officers part of the "Formed Police Unit" were deployed to the neighboring Central African Republic as part of a peacekeeping contingent, along with 850 FARDC troops.[7]
In February 2019 Human Rights Watch accused the Congolese police of extrajudicially executing dozens of people during a crackdown on gangs in Kinshasa.[8]
In March 2022, first lady, Denise Nyakéru Tshisekedi visited the Congolese National Police in Kinshasa during training. They were working with MONUSCO police concerning gender mainstreaming in peacekeeping operations.[9]
Organization
edit- Directorate of Public Safety
- Directorate of General Intelligence
- Directorate of Civil Protection
- Directorate of the Border Police
- Directorate of River, Lake, Maritime, and Rail Communication Routes
- Directorate of the Scientific and Technical Police
- Directorate for Anti-Crime
- Directorate of Telecommunications and New Technologies
- Directorate of Countering Economic and Financial Crimes
- Directorate of Narcotics
- Directorate of Judicial Identification and the Central File
- National Central Bureau / INTERPOL
- Directorate of Human Resources
- Directorate of Budget and Finance
- Directorate of Logistics
- Directorate of Studies and Planning
- International Police Cooperation’s Department
Specialized National Training Services and Central Services of the General Commissariat
edit- Institution and Important Figures Protection Unit
- National Intervention Legion
- Statistics Service
- Management and Maintenance of Infrastructure Service
- Telecommunications and Transmissions Services
- Health Service
- Social Affairs Service
- IT Service
- Information and Communication Service
Weapons and Uniforms
editCongolese police officers wear a blue uniform. Their service weapons are the Kalashnikov (7.62mm) though the large majority of officers on the streets do not carry weapons.
Vehicles
editThe National Police often use Toyota Land Cruisers and 4x4s as well as trucks, some more specialised vehicles and they use smaller Toyota Yaris type vehicles in the city of Kinshasa.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ The Head of State gives instructions to the Congolese National Police provincial commanders. Digitalcongo.cd. Published 24 August 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ Clowes, William.Smoke Bombs and Mirrors. Slate. Published 11 March 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ Burstow, Roxane. Security, development and the Congolese National Police Force. The Guardian. Accessed 27 July 2016.
- ^ Facing multiple security crises, Congo's Kabila reshuffles police. Reuters. Published 18 July 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ Controversial DR Congo police chief sacked, replaced by assistant. Africa News. Published 18 April 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ 26 janvier 2002. – DÉCRET-LOI N° 002-2002 portant institution, organisation et fonctionnement de la police nationale congolaise. Leganet.cd. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ Tshibambe, Germain Ngoie (January 2016). Peacekeeping Contributor Profile: Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- ^ Police in DR Congo accused of extrajudicial killings. Al Jazeera. Published 21 February 2019.
- ^ Photos, MONUSCO (2014-01-01), PHOTO DU JOUR DU MERCREDI 30 MARS 2022, retrieved 2022-03-30
Further reading
edit- Mandrup, Thomas (2018). "Reforming the bras tendus? The Congolese National Police reforms, 2003–2016". African Security Review. 27 (2): 109–128. doi:10.1080/10246029.2018.1486719. S2CID 150304617.