By Buba Gagigo
The Gambia Police Force (GPF) has received a donation of five vehicles, fifty motorbikes, riot gear, and other essential equipment from the German Police Support Team (GPST) to enhance the force’s operational capacity. The handover ceremony took place on Thursday in Kanifing.
Over the past four years, the GPST has been instrumental in supporting the GPF through training programs, capacity-building initiatives, and equipment donations, helping modernize the police force. These efforts have significantly improved the GPF’s ability to serve and protect the public. Previous donations have included vehicles, motorbikes, and other critical tools aimed at enhancing the force’s operational efficiency.
Inspector General of Police Seedy Muktarr Touray outlined the latest donations from the GPST:
- 1 Hyundai Staria minivan for officer transport
- 1 Mitsubishi L200 pickup for the Engineering Corps
- 3 Mitsubishi L200 pickups for anti-riot operations
- 15 motorbikes for highway patrol and the Criminal Records Office
- 30 functional safety gear items for the newly established Facility Management Unit (FMU)
“These materials will greatly enhance our operational effectiveness in all facets of policing, such as beat patrol, criminal investigations, officer safety, and public order management.” IGP Touray said
He added, “The security landscape is dynamic and constantly evolving with the emergence of new threats and forms of crime. To be on top of issues, the Gambia Police Force needs modern tools and constant training to protect and serve Gambians and non-Gambian residents in the country.”
The Gambian Inspector General of Police stated that the donated items would enable officers to respond promptly to citizens’ requests for assistance, improve road safety, and safeguard themselves from workplace risks.
Sebastian Eisenhart, Head of the German Police Support Team in The Gambia, emphasized that since the project’s launch in 2018, they have remained dedicated to assisting the Gambia Police Force in its transformation into a modern and efficient police service.
“Only well-equipped and trained officers will carry out their duties with dignity, honor and professionalism and adhere to the standards of human rights and democracy. To ensure this transformation, we support the infrastructure from the outset and provide a wide range of capacity-building training, from ToT-Trainings at the operation level to crowd control, Selection & Recruitment, Traffic Policing and recruitment, traffic policing, and crime scene management, just to name a few,” he said.
Sebastian Eisenhart, Head of the German Police Support Team in The Gambia, highlighted that the collaboration between The Gambia and Germany has been marked by mutual respect and understanding.