Building trust in patrol: A police officer’s peacekeeping journey in South Sudan

UN Mission in South Sudan (DON’T MISS) was established in 2011 to protect civilians, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, monitor human rights, and support the implementation of peace agreements critical to the stability of the world’s youngest country, amid increasing violence.

This mission includes personnel from more than 70 different countries around the world.

Returning to her hometown after a year and a half with UNMISS, the winner of the Female Police Officer of the Year Award shares what it takes to make an impact and emphasizes the need for more women in the field.

“Doing the right thing, trying to do the right thing, this is why I became a police officer: helping people and helping those who need help.

My parents are also policemen. So, I’m not sure if it might be in the DNA or something, but of course, as a child, you grow up with role models like your parents, and then you want to follow them.

My biggest motivation is that we can make an impact on the field. That our presence as police officers really brings change. There are differences in small interactions during patrol activities, for example, that are really satisfying.

Colleagues from all over the world

Personally, working with colleagues from all over the world is an inspiration, and this is the great support I have experienced in this Mission.

It was an experience that showed me that the world is very big, but we are very similar. And we have a lot in common that we should focus on what we have in common.

Things you don’t see

It is invisible little thingsthat we can influence. I once interacted with young women, for example, who were initially afraid to talk to us. But through the engagement, they opened up and even shared and were honest.

They said, ‘We weren’t really sure if we should talk to you, but you gave us a good feeling.’ So, thanks for that. And this is what I think most people don’t know about peacekeeping, that we do these small tasks.

It is patience and listening. And this is only possible if you are truly interested in the stories and views of the local people.

Listen and understand, or at least try to understand, because we are not in their shoes. And of course we need patience to build trust. Without trust, we can’t hear anything because there is nothing to share.

The aim is to build reliable relationships and gain local people’s trust in the UN police, so that they feel comfortable raising their concerns.

‘Every day is different’

Every day is different, and every day you wake up and start your task, you don’t know what will happen. You don’t know about changes throughout the day. There is no typical day, and that’s the point – the mindset you need to have.

You don’t know what will happen. You don’t know who you’re going to meet on patrol, you don’t know what they’re going to say, you don’t know about security.

More women at the table

As a patrol officer in the Mission, this woman’s approach was very good. So, I can connect with women in the community, with children, and also with men.

At the UN, it is nothing new for women to work as police officers. However, despite all the policies we have at the UN, in these operations, the number of women present at the negotiating table is still not sufficient.

So, in meetings, for example the ones I attended during my time at the Mission, I would have loved to see more women with me at the table, because often I was the only one.”