Vision To provide an enlightened and motivated police force that is efficient and accountable to the people
Mission To Secure life and property in partnership with the public in a committed and professional manner in order to promote development
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  1. In 1995 with the Support of DFID/British Council the Uganda Police Force took a step to train 120 police women to handle gender related cases.
  2. Gender Desk Officers were posted to Various Police Stations, but were not effectively utilized due to lack of an established structure with in which to operate.
  3. The name Gender desk was replaced by the name “Child Care & Family Protection Unit.”
  4. May 1998, the Police Child & Family Protection Unit was established to deal with violation of rights of Children & women.
  5. Ten National Trainers were trained to train in Service police officers.
  6. Majority of police officers trained were women; this was because it was generally believed that children & women victims usually feel free and secure when being interviewed by female police officers.
  7. However, at the Moment the Unit is encouraging male police officers to join the unit.
  8. With the recent restructure of police institution, the office of child and family protection unit gained a status of a full department. We have offices spread out country wide at regional levels and district levels.

MAIN GOAL OF THE UNIT

To create an environment in which children and women rights are recognized, respected, promoted and protected.

OBJECTIVES OF THE UNIT

  1. To have a safe environment for Children and Women.
  2. To have skilled, disciplined and accountable police officers handling children, women and family issues.
  3. To ensure that the rights of children and women are fully understood and appreciated.

ROLES OF CHILD & FAMILY PROTECTION UNIT.


I. Law enforcement:

  1. To enforce laws in relation to domestic violence, child care and protection; by way of carrying out investigations, apprehending and prosecuting offenders thereby allowing justice to prevail.
  2. Cases handled are the ones that are criminally sanctioned in legislative offences, e.g. Defilement, Assault, Child Neglect, Child Desertion, Failure to provide necessities, indecent assault.

II. Counseling and Guidance.

  1. To both offenders and victims. Counseling at the Police is done at elementary level; it is advised that the Police work hand in hand with relevant organizations or Institutions for Psychological support.
  2. Support is for both victims and perpetrators

III. Raising Awareness.
Community Policing & sensitization awareness Programmes in communities, schools and also Media, especially on;

  1. Laws relating to Children & Women’s rights.
  2. Crime prevention tips to both parents & children.

IV Networking:.

Internally:

Liaise with other departments, like CID, in handling capital offences e.g. defilement, Rape and Crime Intelligence.

Externally:

Other Stake holders whose nature of work brings them in direct contact with Children & Women e.g. PSWO, LCs & NGOs.

VI) Handling of Juvenile Offenders.
Handling cases involving juvenile offenders in a manner that respects, Protects and UP holds their rights.

VII) ARBITRATION:
Police may assume the role of an arbitrator to settle some non complex child & family Matters, especially when Punitive Custodial measures may other wise complicate issues.

WHAT WE DON’T DO

The child and family protection Unit does not do the following!!:

CRITICAL AREAS OF CONCERN

Determine the custody of Children, when there is a Conflict in the Family.- refer to FCC.

  1. CFPU are not offices where husbands/ fathers bring assistance to mothers/Children. It breeds dependence and facilitates further abuse (DISCUSS)-refer to FCC.
  2. CFPU does not separate or divorce couples.-refer to court.
  3. CFPU does not determine how much assistance should be given to women/Children.-refer to court. 

CONCLUSION
Officers in CFPU must have ears to listen, the will to guide, the expertise to professionally handle clients and as a result we expect the following;

    1. Respect of clients
    2. Professional handling of clients
    3. Empowering clients through information giving
    4. Guiding and guarding clients without imposing individual values
    5. Seeking for wise counsel from supervisors
    6. Keeping your supervisor briefed on what you do
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