By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Gambia Police Force today hosted a strategic steering committee interface with the EU Delegation, German Embassy and other partners.
Speaking at the event, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abdoulie Sanyang said since his appointment, he has always been advocating for support based on their priorities.
“We have taken this stance because we want to maximize the support provided through maximum utilization for higher impact on our performance as an institution. We believe this to be the objective of the donors to see whatever is provided as assistance is effectively utilized by the beneficiary. However, this cannot be without effective communication, consultation and coordination,” he said.
His Excellency, Corrado Pampaloni, European Union Ambassador to the Gambia said since the reestablishment of democracy at the beginning of 2017, the EU has mobilised themselves to assist The Gambia in reforming the national security sector.
“The EU focuses on…infrastructural enhancement with police stations benefitting from modernisation, or repair work in line with international standards; and the provision of equipment with modern police stations being set up and equipped in line with minimum professional standards,” he said.
Ambassador Pampaloni said selected staff from police stations are being trained on managing a police station, gathering and managing data, investigation of sexual and gender based violence, and investigation of road traffic accidents.
The Diplomat said new police stations would be built in SereKunda and Bundung by the third quarter of 2022.
“Bakoteh and Brusubi police stations will be expanded to meet the needs of the officers there, as well as communities they serve. These police stations will have facilities amenable to human rights and privacy- both of detention as well as of the citizens that require the services of these stations,” he said.
The EU continued that facilities like reception, interview rooms, exhibit stores, toilets, and separate detention cells for male, female and juvenile offenders would be provided in the new and improved police stations that the EU is funding for the Gambia Police Force.
He added that some 300 officers would be trained in criminal investigation, use of forensic tools, and investigation of sexual and gender based violence.
The EU Ambassador handed over crime scene and sexual and gender based violence kits to IGP Sanyang at the end of strategic steering committee interface at the police headquarters in Banjul.
Comments are closed.