Canadian police to Sudan for UN mission

April 21, 2006 (OTTAWA) — Two members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are heading to Sudan to assist the United Nations mission in an African country torn by civil war.

RCMP Sgt. Richard Davis and Cpl. Barry Meyer are expected to arrive in Khartoum in late April, when they will begin training and supporting Sudanese police and, where possible, advising them on policing methods.

Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day says police work is a key element of the peace process in Sudan.

The UN Security Council established its Sudan mission in March 2005, which is headquartered in Khartoum but maintains the bulk of its operations and resources in the country’s war-weary southern regions.

International police attached to the mission also look out for human rights and other abuses, and assess policing needs through consultations with community leaders, representative groups and others.

The RCMP acts as the federal police for all of Canada, enforcing certain federal laws. It also has contracts with Canada’s three territories and eight of its provinces to serve as their provincial/territorial police force. The RCMP is the largest police force in Canada; as of April 2005, the RCMP had an on-strength establishment of 22,557 personnel.

(ST/CP)