KNU Train Karen Police Force

The Karen National Union (KNU) has just finished a training program for a Karen police force in KNU controlled areas, aimed at improving the law enforcement capabilities of the Karen national police force.

The two-week long training course held at Lay Wah in Hlaing Bwe township of Karen State ended on the 21st of February.

The KNU’s Department of the Interior and Religion organized the training and its head, Padoh Saw Ah Toe, said that the training was a success.

“We have high expectations from this training. We organized this training as we believe that it will help the inexperienced Karen National Police Force and benefit our organizations and civilians.”

The two-week long training course included a study of existing Kawthoolei (the official Karen term for Karen State) criminal law, Kawthoolei customary law, a special enacted law on witchery, police and crime investigation procedures.

Padoh Saw Dot Lay Mu, from the KNU’s Agriculture Department who participated as a training facilitator said.

“We provided knowledge of judiciary and procedures of investigating a crime. We believe that the trainees are able to handle lawsuits correctly in respect to the laws of Kawthoolei and continue to support the enforcement of the law when they go back to their relevant areas.”

Naw Jasmine, a lance corporal from the Hpa-An District Crime Investigation Department who attended the training spoke to Karen News.

“We will apply what we have learned from this training in our assignments. We will cooperate with the people, deal with all problems to bring more peacefulness and reduce a sense of fear in the community.”

The closing ceremony was attended by as many as 100 people, including KNU’s department heads, military officers and the KNU’s General Secretary, Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win.

“We hope that the participants who attending this training will apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in their organizations,” said Padoh Kwe Htoo Win in a speech at the ceremony.

The training which started on the February 10 was attended by officials from KNU Justice Department, Karen police forces from seven [KNU administered] districts and representatives from Karen Women Organization.