PRESS STATEMENT OF Mr. ATANGA NJI PAUL, MINISTER OF TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION
For quite sometime now, the public in general and administrative authorities, in particular, have been decrying violence, sometimes physical, against police officers exercising their duties all over the national territory. This irresponsible behavior towards the Police is unacceptable. It should be underscored that the Police are at the service of the population, and more specifically at the service of each and every one. Under the Very Esteemed Guidance of the Head of State, His Excellency Paul BIYA, represented by the Delegate General for National Security, Cameroonian Police is a well-structured and well-organized corps, present at all levels of the Republic: Regions, Divisions and Subdivisions. Day and night, they work relentlessly to ensure the security of
persons and their property.
In the event of any disagreement between a police officer and an individual, a complaint should be addressed to the Police hierarchy. When the accusations against police officers are founded, only the Police hierarchy is empowered to apply sanctions against the defaulting officer, in accordance with the internal regulations of the corps and in line with the Laws in force.
Therefore, no citizen or person, regardless of their social status, for whatsoever reason, has the right to assault a police officer on duty. That could be considered jungle justice which we all know has no place in Cameroon. Insulting or assaulting a police officer on duty or refusing to obey instructions is unacceptable.
The Delegate General for National Security, here present, has always given a listening ear to alleged or founded excesses of Police officers. I would like to reiterate, once and for all, that the police uniform belongs to the State and not to the individual wearing it. Therefore, it has to be given due respect by all
and sundry. To publicly attack a police officer or any other security officer on duty shall hereafter
be considered as a casus belli.
