Co-funded by the EU and to be implemented by GIZ (a German development agency), the ambassador said the reason they chose the police is to enhance human resource management capacities including gender equality, to facilitate dialogue between the police and civil society through community policing and ensure an internal complaints mechanism.
According to him, a key component of the EU support to The Gambia is on transitional justice that includes the implementation of the recommendations from the TRRC White Paper, Constitutional Review and SSR.
Additionally, Ambassador Pampaloni reiterated that the new model police stations to be built for the Gambia Police Force (GPF) will meet the minimum standards of law enforcement infrastructure.
Furthermore, he revealed that the model stations to be erected in Serrekunda and Bundung will include the following: a reception area; separate interview rooms for criminal investigation, sexual and gender-based offences; exhibit stores for proper storage of evidentiary materials recovered from crime scenes or during criminal investigations among others.
According to him, upon completion and handing over of the model stations, he expects officers to have conducive working environments to better serve the Gambian public; to make sure rights of inmates are better protected and to significantly reduce crime in the Greater Banjul Area.
Momodou Sowe, the deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP), said in line with strategic priority of the government’s NDP 2018-2021 which focuses on restoring good governance, respect for human rights, rule of law, empowering citizens and high level discussions between the ministries responsible for foreign and internal affairs and the German counterparts resulted in the project.
He pointed out that the project would provide the public with the quality service they rightfully deserve. “This project will not only serve as a mere structure but it will signify as an avenue for community partnership and stakeholders support.”
Dr. Marion Popp, country component manager of GIZ, said GPF is more effective at ensuring human security at individual and community levels, with due regard to international human rights standards.
She said for one to achieve this objective, there is great need to rehabilitate model police stations according to minimum standards of best practices.
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