MYPOL works with Myanmar police to address the challenges of COVID-19

30 May 2020
MYPOL works with Myanmar police to address the challenges of COVID-19

The MYPOL project is working to help Myanmar cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Though working remotely, MYPOL’s staff are focused on helping its partners – including the Myanmar Police Force (MPF) – meet the challenges of the current crisis, according to a press release. 

The project’s components have responded in several different ways to help ensure the MPF, Parliament, CSOs, and Media can continue to perform their duties while also working to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

These efforts include Guideline Handbooks for CID police. On May 22, MYPOL delivered two guideline handbooks to the MPF CID to help the police continue their work during the COVID-19 crisis. The first handbook gives guidance in accordance with international standard to CID officers for interviewing victims and witnesses, specifically those affected by rising crimes during COVID-19, such as domestic violence. The second covers crime scene investigation and will help first responders and CID officers conduct investigations while taking special precaution against COVID-19 issues. MYPOL Senior National Advisor U Myint Thein and project officer Khin Yamon Win met with Police Lt.Col Zaw Win Ko and Police Major Thein Naing to distribute 75 copies of each handbook.  

In addition, they have provided an Operational Policing COVID-19 Guidance Booklet.

Earlier in May, MYPOL worked with the MPF to distribute new COVID-19 operational guidance booklets. Based on INTERPOL’s COVID-19 guidelines, each booklet contains information to help keep officers and communities safe during the crisis. 800 booklets were distributed throughout the four townships MYPOL’s Community Policing component operates in: Sanchaung, Thanlyin, Yankin, and Hlaing Thayar. MYPOL Senior National Advisor Diana Achard and Project Officer Mark Thakler Batun worked with police leadership in each township to hand deliver the booklets.   

MYPOL has provided Safe Arrests Brochures. Police are still carrying out their daily tasks, which sometimes include making arrests. At times, these duties make it impossible to maintain proper social distancing. MYPOL has drafted a brochure to help the MPF effectively arrest suspects safety during the pandemic. It guides police through best practices when making an arrest and ensuring individuals’ well-being – all while being careful to take the correct precautions against the spread of COVID-19. 

In addition, they will run COVID workshops for Hluttaw MPs. MYPOL is scheduled to host two workshops for MPs and their staff on COVID related issues in June. The first will cover parliamentary oversight of the government and security institutions’ response to the COVID-19. The second will discuss the role of the Parliament in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

MYPOL is a five-year, European Union-funded project that works to assist the MPF in becoming a modern police service centred on international best practices and respect for human rights. The project works directly with the MPF by conducting trainings, providing expertise and giving advice on how to modernise different aspects of policing. MYPOL also works with Parliament, civil society organisations and Myanmar’s media to improve their relationships with the MPF.