By Binta Jaiteh
Sulayman Jawara, Superintendent of Gambia Police Force has admitted that the police face challenges in investigating corruption matters as they are mostly committed underground.
Jawara made this disclosure at a seminar on accountability for the Finance and Public Accounts (FPAC) and Public Enterprises Committees (PEC) of the National Assembly and relevant stakeholders on Wednesday.
According to him, the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) would also be in agreement about the existence of corruption in the institutions. As a state agency, he says, the Gambia Police Force has the mandate to investigate and prosecute offenses that would include corruption matters.
“I think the office of the IGP would want to say that corruption is endemic and ingrained within our societies. The issue of capacity exists within the police no doubt but I think we are all aware of the existence of a specialized unit within the police called the fraud and commercial unit,’’ Jawaraexplained. That unit, he continues, is dedicated to the investigation of fraud-related matters including corruption.
‘’Collaboration and information sharing is key because when information is passed to the police relating to corruption issues, institutions should be willing to come forward and provide evidential information and be witnesses to testify, looking at the complexity of cases that relate to corruption,’’ he noted.
“Imagine a corruption case reported against a top government official, that in the absence of tangible evidence or statements, it will be difficult for the institution to make headways,’’ Jawara added.
Furthermore, he says, they have discussed police having the capacity to be able to investigate corruption matters but further training would be required to take other forms of corruption investigation matters.
Meanwhile, he expressed willingness on the side of the police to receive reports from institutions like the National Assembly to explore and expand on matters of corruption.
‘’Corruption is not directed against public officials only but also the police officers in the discharge of their duties. Even the police as they put on a uniform, they are not above the law; where investigations are done and evidences are credibly obtained a police officer could also be investigated like any other individual,’’ he disclosed.