By Adama Makasuba
At least one hundred and fifty Police officers have completed a three-day training of community policing coordinators on gender-based violence and mediation structures, arrest and detention.
The training was organised by German Agency for International Development GIZ commissioned by the German Federal Government to provide technical assistance to The Gambia Police Force in its reform endeavours, continues its capacity support to police officers.
According to the police, the coordinators were trained on modules such as fundamentals of community policing, its benefits to the society, implementation of the community policing strategies dealing with sexual and gender-based violence, mediation structures, arrest and detention among others.
Police said the training is part of a nationwide initiative covering the seven administrative regions. It commenced in March 2022 and covered 28 districts.
“Overall, more than 150 community policing coordinators were trained across, while the police had engagements with more than 200 community members from Banjul to Basse,” it said.
Speaking at the event CSP Abdou Bojang, police liaison officer GIZ said it was very pleasant and gratifying to watch open discussions between the police and citizens on issues of crime and social disorder in the communities and the need for partnership to find lasting solutions to these concerns of citizens.
“The community policing coordinators and citizens acknowledged the need for more resourcing for the police and training to enhance their knowledge so that they can provide the services they are mandated to perform,” CSP Bojang stated.
CSP Lamin Jaiteh, Officer Commanding Community Policing Unit, also recommended that the police should be given more opportunities like this so that the work could be much easier for the GPF through community policing.
The GIZ representative also said they’re honoured to be given the opportunity to contribute towards the reform that The Gambia police Force is undergoing to be more responsive to the citizens.
