Abdoulie Sanyang, Inspector General Of Police
By Landing Ceesay
The Inspector General of the Gambia Police Force, Abdoulie Sanyang, has said that in the country’s newfound democracy, there are people who think that they can say and do anything and go scot-free. He made these remarks at a consultative meeting of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) with partners on its draft National Policing Strategic Plan 2024-2028.
Sanyang emphasized the challenge of policing a society that may not fully embrace the authority of law enforcement. To bridge this gap, the GPF is committed to gaining the trust and support of the public to effectively carry out its duties. Sanyang acknowledged that this is a significant shift from the past, recognizing the complexities of policing in the evolving landscape of The Gambia.
“We cannot Police a society that does not want us to police them. For us to be able to police society, we need to have their buy-in. That is why we are trying as much as possible to win the hearts and minds of the population. Because that is what was missing. So we have passed that stage now. We have to change the bold game. Because policing now is very complex and very difficult, particularly in the Gambia.
In the context of the newfound democracy, he pointed out that some individuals wrongly assume they can speak and act with impunity due to a lack of awareness about the law. Nevertheless, he stressed that ignorance of the law does not excuse one from its consequences.
“You know the situation, the newfound democracy. There are people who think that they can say and do anything and go scot-free. Sorry to say, a lot of people are ignorant of the law. But ignorance of the law is no excuse. Is not for the Police to tell you what is right and what is wrong. But what we are trying to say is that the Civil Society should help the Police to Police the society. Because security is paramount,” IGP Sanyang said.
Sanyang made these remarks during a consultative meeting of the GPF with its partners to discuss the draft National Policing Strategic Plan 2024-2028. The theme of the meeting was “working together with partners for effective Police Service Delivery.”
This strategic plan reflects the GPF’s commitment to fulfilling its constitutionally approved role by employing internationally recognized democratic policing principles and best practices to provide relevant services to the Gambian people. The plan encompasses the GPF’s shared vision, mission statements, and strategic objectives for policing.
Sanyang underscored the significance of security and health as foundational elements for national development, emphasizing that a secure and healthy nation is vital for progress. He stressed that security is a prerequisite for accessing education, commerce, and healthcare, making it an indispensable foundation for societal well-being. Sanyang also reminded the audience that police officers, including himself as the Inspector General, are also civilians and should be seen as part of the community.
He urged the various stakeholders, including local and international partners, to collaborate in ensuring the safety and security of The Gambia.
“But when you forget about security then you have a sick or weak nation, you will never develop. Before talking about Agriculture, Education, and all those things we need to know. Because you cannot go to school without security, you cannot go to the market without security, and you cannot go to the health sector without security. Everything boils down to security. That’s important and people should understand that policing is a difficult job, and Police Officers are also civilians.
“I am the Inspector General of Police, but every member of my family is a civilian. So look at us as your parents, your mothers, your sisters, your fathers, and the like. But if you see us as Police Officers, that’s where the difference comes. So I think this is a very good forum. Because we have our local partners, we have our International partners, we have different stakeholders, please help us to Police the Gambia and make the Gambia safe again,” he said.
The strategic plan aims to build a professional and capable police force through systematic recruitment of qualified personnel and regular training and development. This approach will promote a high level of service quality, discipline, integrity, and fairness in interactions with the public.
The plan also seeks to maintain transparency and efficient resource management, create a comprehensive and reliable database, and enhance the investigative and prosecutorial capabilities of the police force. It further aims to provide the police with the necessary infrastructure, accommodation, logistics, and funding to enhance their operations