Police professional doctrine in Sudan: Establishment and development

Abstract

This article argues that there exists a professional doctrine in the Sudanese police force. This is based on the fact that the police have a well defined written legal framework, a code of ethics and a practical legacy. This doctrine has significantly contributed to the establishment and maintenance of the existing police ethos and culture among Sudanese policemen. Despite the instability and recurrent political changes that have seriously impacted the police structure and legal framework at the state level, the strong and effective police doctrine has enabled the force to absorb these changes and maintain a coherent behaviour and ethos both as an institution and a body of workers. Sudanese history shows that political instability and the dominance of military ideas have hindered the development of a professional police identity, a set of ethics and an understanding of their functional duties, especially with regard to democracy and human rights norms.