"Fallen police officer was disciplined and had an infectious smile"

Fellow police officers have described the late Commissioner of Police, Christine Alalo as a disciplined and hardworking officer who above all loved her job so much.

After over 30 hours, police on Monday afternoon confirmed Alalo, who has been serving as the acting Police Commissioner under AMISOM in Somalia had died in the Ethiopian Airline crash.

“The police are mourning the tragic outcome of yesterday’s plane crash upon learning that it claimed the life of Commissioner of Police, Christine Alalo who was working with AMISOM as the acting Police Commissioner, “police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said in a statement.

However, fellow police officers have heaped praise on Alalo as one who was disciplined and loved her job.

“She was humble, knowledgeable, disciplined, worked with minimum supervision, had self-drive, loved her job and a team worker,” said AIGP Asan Kasingye, the Police Chief Political Commissar.

Kasingye said Alalo had served as a DPC in Entebbe where he resides as well as serving under him in the Child and Family Protection Unit in the Police force.

The Deputy Police spokesperson, Polly Namaye described the deceased as mother figure in lives of many police officers who worked with her.

“She has been a very professional. Very motherly to us especially those under her. She was soft spoken and kind. She could go the extra mile to make someone comfortable,”Namaye told the Nile Post on Monday afternoon.

“She will be missed dearly. Her light will shine on indeed. May God comfort her loved ones and give her eternal life. Amen.”

Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga with whom they joined the police force in 2001 described the deceased as a likeable person whose trademark smile moved mountains.

“She was likeable, had self- discipline and respect for others. It was fun being around her because she carried a trademark smile and laughter,”Enanga told this website.

“She loved her family and friends. She maintained a parent figure in their lives and upbringing even after the tragic death of their father in 2004. She will be dearly.”

Commissioner of Police, Christine Alalo was one of the 157 people from 35 countries aboard the Ethiopian Airlines ET 302 flight that crashed shortly after taking off in Addis Ababa on Sunday morning.

Alalo, who was serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was returning from a course in Italy to Mogadishu when the plane she had used crashed.

Police has put in place a task force led by the director in charge of support operations, AIGP Grace Turyagumanawe to coordinate with the African Union and Ethiopian Airlines to trace the remains of the deceased officer.

The Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Tewolde GebreMariam told journalists on Sunday that the pilot of the aircraft that crashed shortly after take-off had alerted controllers of difficulties and had wanted to return to the airport.

The airline on Monday afternoon announced it had recovered the black box to the ill-fated aircraft.

The digital flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder will be crucial items in investigations into the circumstances under which the plane crashed.