Burkina Faso: Thirty years of community policing, municipal police celebrated as pillar of urban security
On Saturday, December 13, 2025, the Place de la Nation in Ouagadougou hosted a major celebration marking the culmination of the 30th anniversary of the Burkina Faso Municipal Police. Presided over by Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, the ceremony, themed “Municipal Police, 30 Years of Service to the People: Assessment, Challenges, and Perspectives,” brought together authorities, security forces, and citizens, reflecting the institution’s entrenched role in the national fabric.
The event served to honor the memory and dedication of the force’s officers. Thirty of them, from historical pioneers to representatives of the younger generations, were decorated for their commitment to discipline, rigor, and, above all, proximity to citizens.
A precision drill display and a parade by the different units then dynamically illustrated the evolution and structuring of this corps since its official creation on July 20, 1995.
In his address, the Head of Government emphasized the strategic importance that the administration of President Ibrahim Traoré places on this community police force.
“The security of Burkina Faso is also played out in our cities,” declared Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, explaining that this corps is an essential link in ensuring public tranquility, supporting intelligence efforts, and combating major criminality in symbiosis with the population.
He reiterated the executive’s commitment to continuing training and equipment efforts while calling for introspection within the corps to eradicate certain practices that could erode public trust.
Born in the wake of decentralization, the Municipal Police now embodies a major pillar of urban security. Present in 42 municipalities, its network will soon be expanded to seven new localities, extending its territorial coverage to 49 communes.
This expansion underscores its indispensable role: it functions as both the operational arm of local authorities and a daily partner in community life, working to maintain public order, security, and cleanliness.
This celebration of three decades, beyond paying tribute, thus marks an official recognition of the contribution of the Municipal Police to building a secure environment, reminding the nation that peace is also forged in the daily life of cities and neighborhoods.
Cédric KABORE
