"You Want Me to What!?"

Well folks, believe it or not, but I have moved from second in command to the Team Site Leader in command of the Yambio Team Site. “Ruurii. Do you layke to be da Tayme Sayte Layder?“ “You want me to what”!? Okay. Now I have way more responsibility than I expected or wanted. I am now in command of 24 UNPOLS (UN Police Officers). The previous Team Site Leader has been transferred to Khartoum, and I was one out of the three recommendations that got the job. One member of the team that has been here for a while was offered the position, but turned it down. I was the second choice.

I had mixed reservations when being asked if I would want my name in the pool for the position, but then I figured this was the only place where I might be able to make some positive changes so here I am. A little bit of a shocker for some of the guys, but so far I have not had any issues with anyone and they seem not to mind me in this position. Not ever being in charge of such a large group of people, I am finding it a little challenging, but I am lucky to have an experienced fellow RCMP member of 35 years service with me as my Personnel Officer that I can bounce ideas off of if I need to.

I am learning quickly that by pleasing the right people, I can pretty much do what I want. I am slowly building the trust of my Sector Commander at the headquarters in Juba and so far things are going well. I am pushing my guys to work a little harder and put in a little more effort. This is a tough task as I find that most people are here to collect some extra money and go home. Nothing more. However, I feel that in a week, there have already been some minor positive changes.

I met with the State Commissioner of the SSPS today to let him know that I have taken over the UNPOLS at the Yambio Team Site. He seemed pleased and we had tea together. Some solid relationships have been built here, but it only takes one bad incident to destroy some of the hard work that has already been put into this place. My primary goal is to build on what has already been established here and move forward. It’s time.

I have coordinated with the UNMOS (UN Military Observers) and this Saturday, we will be going on a medium range patrol to a small village called Nabia Pai on the outskirts of Yambio. It has been a while since the team site has done one of these patrols due to the security level we were at. Now that the security risk has decreased we can start doing these type of patrols again. A team attempted to do this last Saturday, but unfortunately, while en route, the SPLA (Sudan People’s Liberation Army) advised that there had been reports of LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) rebels in the area and the team had to turn around. This Saturday I will be going on the patrol and I have selected my Community Policing and Gender and Child Protection officers to accompany me to meet with the village Chief, SSPS officers, and other community leaders to determine what their needs are.

Dean…you thought I was a handful. Holy shit…Now where is that Vodka when I need it. Oh look…triplets!!!

Cheers,

Gonzo.

(Top: The previous Team Site Leader Mohamed HAZEM and I at his going away party. Middle: Captain John Jazz at his new bar/restaurant. He is an SSPS officer and works as an adiminstrator. He is also the leader of the police band. And yes his real name is John Jazz. Bottom: Stress Release.)