National Day activities: Police showcases innovations in ID card production system.

It was part of activities to mark the 53rd National Day that was feted yesterday nationwide, under the theme: “Army and nation united for a Cameroon turned towards peace and prosperity”.

The police used the crowd-pulling event to market its units and activities in the field of national security and other related areas. 

The corps new biometric national identification system, its rescue, surveillance, communication, school and university security units, biometric passport system and health services among others.

Biometric ID card production system gamechanger  

The police used the event to sensitise the public about the 48-hour ID Card production system and its biometric features. 

Officials said since the service went operational in February this year, centres in Yaounde and Douala have been serving the public.

It displayed digital tools with enrollment officers on standby to address the worries of members of the public.

First Grade Inspector of Police, Nchuodzi Bertrand Chia, told reporters that: “Those who were interested had confirmed their appointment online after we sent out messages and they had their names registered on a particular list”.

Chia said ID cards could have even been issued within 24 hours but some citizens decided to collect theirs a day after.

Upgrading knowledge on new system

According to the First Grade Inspector of Police, one of the biggest challenges that the police has been facing since the introduction of the new biometric identification system is the lack of knowledge by members of the public.

Chia said gatherings like the open-door days provided the police with a window of opportunities to educate the public.

He said they guided members of the public “on the type of documents, how to go about the documents, depending on the conditions of which they found themselves”.

Chia said every citizen needs documents such as certificate of nationality, a certified copy of birth certificate, original of birth certificate and proof of profession to establish an ID Card.

The officer declared that:  “The process starts from their online enrolment, that's when the process of delivering an ID card starts. From there, we now guide them how to build up their files that will permit them to be received physically during their physical enrolment by taking their pictures, fingerprints, and all the like”.

Police at heart of national security 

The police also marketed activities of its communication unit in charge of producing media contents on the activities of the police. There were also displays of the Rescue Police operation via the toll-free number 1500. 

The public was also updated on the Unit for the security of schools and university campuses which fights drug consumption and other illegal activities.

Other facilities showcased at the event included; police’s heath team, the video surveillance systems, international police cooperation, Interpol, and its music band.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3451 of Wednesday May 21, 2025