Eastern Africa Police Chiefs have resolved to establish cybercrime units in partner states to deal with cyber and hi-tech crime.The officers made the resolution at the closure of the first East African Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO) retreat at Paraa Safari Lodge, in Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda’s Masindi District yesterday.The retreat aimed at enhancing police professionalism, fostering regional cooperation in police work, and combating violence and cybercrime.The regional police chiefs expressed concern about the variation in the legal laws and technological capacity among partner states to combat hi-tech and cybercrime.“The retreat resolves to establish a unified checklist of systems, Standard Operating Procedures as well as laws and regulations on Cybercrime such as; Computer Misuse Act, Lawful Interception, Electronic Signature and Anti-money laundering,” a statement released after the meeting reads in part.As a part of efforts to follow up on the resolutions, the police chiefs committed to carry out quarterly regional audits of the security systems and networks.While closing the retreat, Uganda’s Vice-President Edward Sekandi, said solutions to the problems affecting the region call for team work, coordination and solid action.While noting that the instability in one member country may have a spillover effect, the police chiefs further resolved to consult on sending a delegation to Juba, South Sudan in two weeks’ time.The two-day retreat was attended by chiefs of Police from Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
