The Gambian leader held similar meetings with the leadership of the Gambian army some time ago.
President Adama Barrow has enjoined the leadership of the Gambia police force to ensure their conducts are in full compliance with the law they seek to enforce.
The police high command have met President Barrow on Friday at the State House as they discuss means towards improving the efficiency of the force.
“A law enforcement officer must be a signing example of obedience to rule of law…,” Barrow told the police chiefs.
“We cannot afford to reverse to the old ways of doing things…”
Gambian police have faced several challenges in protecting the population in recent times with rise in crime rates and various civil disturbances across the country.
Several incidents of violent protest have also exposed the weaknesses of the force that is also being investigated for killing three protesters at Faraba Banta.
Two police commissioners at the meeting, Lala Camara and Omar Darboe, have both spoken of the need for support for the force that has been given the responsibility of protecting all VIP facilities in the country.
With an increase in responsibility, the police are grappling with capacity gaps and inadequate funding to live up to the challenges, said Darboe.
“The security forces now operate in a democracy where the fundamental rights must be respected and all citizens treated with dignity. The malpractices under the last dictatorship are not accepted in the New Gambia…,” Barrow said.
However, the Gambian leader also enjoined the citizens to respect the police and ensure the rule of law prevails.
“Democracy comes with rights and responsibilities. Democracy must not be interpreted as a license to disrespect people or disregard the laws of the land,” said Barrow.
“No one should take the law into their own hands… We must all follow the due procedure…”
Meanwhile, the vice president Ousainou Darboe also challenged the police Inspector General Mamour Jobe to ensure the force is “de-tribalised and apolitical”.
“The police is ever-ready to ensure safety of the population,” emphasized the interior minister Ebrima Mballow.
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