The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has completed a week-long training workshop to enhance the skills of the Somali Police in crime prevention through community policing.
The training, conducted at the Gen. Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu with support from the government of Italy, was attended by 25 Somali police officers.
“The community policing concept bridges the gap between the police and the community. It will enhance engagement between the police and community to combat crime in the community,” said Mohamoud Yusif, the acting AMISOM Police Training Coordinator.
The Deputy Director of Planning and Training in the Somali Police Force, Gen. Mohamed Mohamud Mohamed, asked the trainees to apply the knowledge acquired to protect people’s lives and property.
“We have an enormous responsibility entrusted in us to protect and maintain the dignity of this nation. We are responsible for protecting the people, the nation, religion, and its resources. We should strive to maintain this trust,” said Gen. Mohamed.
Topics covered during the weeklong training included community policing strategies, conflict resolution, legal frameworks of policing in Somalia, professional standards and code of ethics, de-radicalisation and countering violent extremism, community engagement, protection of vulnerable groups, and gender issues in community policing.
Sagal Abdinur Ahmed, a police officer with the SPF, said the training had equipped them with valuable knowledge on the importance of community policing.
“As police officers, we must gain public trust through being disciplined and abiding by the code of conduct. This is important if we are to combat terrorism and protect the community,” he said.
AMISOM
