SOUTH SUDAN — Stephanie Königs, a police inspector from Germany, received the Woman Police Officer of the Year Award this year. She served with the U.N. Mission in South Sudan for a year and a half before returning home.
The U.N. Mission in South Sudan was established in 2011. Its mandate includes protecting civilians, delivering humanitarian aid, monitoring human rights, and supporting peace agreement implementation. The mission employs personnel from over 70 different countries.
Königs stated that her parents are also police officers. "Doing the right thing, trying to do the right thing, this is the reason why I became a police officer: to help people and to help those who need help," Königs said. She added that her biggest motivation was the ability to impact the ground.
Königs noted the difference police presence can make, specifically in small interactions during patrol activities. She engaged with young women who were initially afraid to speak with them, noting the impact of unseen small things.
She emphasized the importance of patience and listening to build trust within the local community. She also noted the unpredictable nature of the work, stating there is no typical day.
As a patrol officer, Königs noted the value of a female approach in connecting with women, children, and men.
Königs observed a lack of female representation in leadership roles. "In the U.N., it is nothing new that women are working as police officers. However, despite all the policies we have in place in the U.N., in the operations, there are not enough women around the table. I would have loved to see more women with me around the table, as I was many times the only one," Königs said. South Sudan is recognized as the world's youngest nation.
No independent assessment of Stephanie Königs’s claims was available.