At least 2,937 police have participated in the Civil Defence Movement (CDM) according to a 25 April report from the National Unity Government (NUG).

Two police majors, 12 police captains, 44 police lieutenants, 82 police second lieutenants, 1 police warrant officer, 108 police sergeants, 167 police corporals, 346 police lance corporals, 2129 police privates, 16 clerks, and 30 prison staff participated in the CDM according to the report.

There are over 2,100 CDM participants in the police force, most of whom are lower-ranking police officers. The only high-ranking police CDM participants are two majors, the highest police rank taking part in the CDM.

The majority of police officers who have participated in the CDM are newly trained police officers from the police academy and officers who only want to serve the public, said a police officer, who recently resigned from the police force.

He said: “The police officers were trained under the democratic government, so some could not accept the situation when the military illegitimately took control of the country. Most of them are well-educated. They were trained to provide a better service for the community based on humanity and kindness but, they cannot stand the military’s actions against the people. So, when the military forced them to commit crimes against humanity they left the police force.”

The retired police officer believes that there were only two higher-ranking police officers participating in the CDM. It is hard for higher-ranking police officers to join the CDM because of corruption and because they worry about what would happen to their family’s wellbeing.

The NUG reported that around 10,000 military troops and police have participated in the CDM in the last few days.

According to the NUG, the military personnel who take part in the CDM will play an important role in the success of the Spring Revolution.