By Binta Jaiteh
The Centre for Research and Policy Development (CRPD in collaboration with Gambia Police Force (GPF) , Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the media on Tuesday began a two-day roundtable discussions on recurring human rights violations and to protect freedom of association and speech.
The forum was meant to lead to the development of a position paper proposing an amendment to the Public Order Act which restricts freedom of assembly which would be submitted to the National Assembly, the Ministry of Justice, and other relevant stakeholders.
Speaking at the forum held at the Bakadagi Hotel, Deputy Police Commissioner Lamin Jaiteh representing the Commissioner of Admin said security service provision calls for collaboration, inclusiveness, and active participation of everyone.
He said at the level of the GPF, they are endeavoring to ensure that the focus of the public service in this country is centered around the concept of democratic policing.
“We all know that democratic policing is now ranked as the most outstanding security service globally that hitches on advance participation of all including the media and the civil societies”, he said.
The Deputy Commissioner noted that policing today is not only within the context of the Gambia but globally and cannot be carried out living behind the application of the rule of law and human rights.
He asserted that the police are open for discussion with the public because it demonstrates the fact that the police cannot work in isolation.
“We need to incorporate every segment of the society because our service provision is for the people”, he acknowledged.
The Advocacy Officer at the Centre for Research and Policy Development (CRPD), Ndegen Jobe, highlighted that it is not the first time such a meeting has occurring.
“We want to have this kinds of meeting frequently”, she appealed.
Despite the meeting being scheduled at short notice the stakeholders came out willingly which shows that they don’t only want to sit in their offices but to come out and discuss their work with the public.
Officer Commanding Policy Unit at Police Headquarters, CSP Yaya Manjang said as far as the reform is concerned the mandate of the police is to preserve law and order and the protection of lives as properties.
According to him the strength of the police is 46,641 personnel which 73% are men and 27% are female.
He emphasized the challenges of GPF which include mobility and logistics. “We also lack arms and ammunition. Inadequate expertise is lacking and inadequate legal and regulatory framework, among others.”