Mr Wilson Kwanya, the Regional Police Commander (RPC) in-charge of Aswa Region has warned crime preventers against violent arrest of suspects which he said sometimes leads to the death of suspects.
Kwanya says a crime preventer who acts contrary to the law of the country will stand liable for his action.
Addressing journalists on Monday at Gulu town, Kwanya warned, “If such arrest results into a death of a suspect, the person who effected the arrest will stand liable in the court of law,”
On the recruitment of the crime preventers, he explained that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) can use his power from section 212 of the constitution to recruit auxiliary forces if it deems necessary.
But said crime preventers are serving as volunteers adding that they work as informants of the police.
Police in Aswa region are struggling with the over 9,000 recruited errant Crime Preventers who are have turned against the public.
In June last year, two of the prime suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Mr Andrew Rachkara, the Gulu University lecturer were crime preventers attached to Gulu Central Police Station.
Meanwhile in September last year, police also arrested six of the Crime Preventers in Mucwini, Kitgum district on allegation of harassment and extortion.
Police say the suspects have been extorting money from those they come across after impersonating as police officers.
They were later charged before magistrate court for alleged crimes
Reports from Amuru also emerged that the newly recruited crime preventers were manning police posts in Amuru district.
Mr Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak County Member of Parliament in Amuru voiced a concern saying he was surprised to see youth who used to sit by the road side and drinking joints wearing police uniforms while on duty at Amuru Central Police Station.
The legislator said, “If police ignore the warning signs, there would be a catastrophe in the future as some will turn into hard core criminals since they can access guns to commit crime.”
But the RPC Kwanya says the individuals are always recommended by the Local Council authorities before police recruits them.
