The three weeks intensive training of thirty-two (32) officers from The Gambia Police Intervention Unit (PIU), conducted by the German Police Support Team (GPST) was ended on Friday 7 October 2021, with a colorful passing out ceremony at the PIU headquarters in Kanifing.

Adeline Basangeh, Commissioner of Police Intervention Unit, said the passing out marks the 8th badge of the PIU that has been trained by the Garman Police Support Team in the Gambia.

Mr Basangeh said the participants were chosen from all their deployment units across the country adding that the training is timely and significant.

He stated that the PIU has been undergoing series of trainings organized by the German Police Support Team in The Gambia. He added that the purpose of the training is to improve the standard of the officers who are performing their duties.

“The training is all that we need and that is what the German police support have been doing for us over the years,” he said. According to him, the German Police Support Team (GPST) has trained over three hundred (300) PIU officers over the years.

Speaking at the event, Stefen Hash the GPST training coordinator, said it was 2018 he declared his journey to support the Gambia police Intervention Unit (PIU) to get a better fact finding mission.

Mr Hash said this has further cemented the relationship between German and Gambia  adding each time they landed in Gambia, they feel like it is their home and never want to return. “We are looking forward to coming back to continue our support to the Gambian people,” he said .

He noted that the three hundred (300) PIU officers who have been trained are now qualified as trainers to share the knowledge with their colleagues as the country’s election draws nearer.  “As the election is a very busy time, we want to make sure there is a peaceful election,” he emphasized.

He added that being a police officer includes required one to handle all kinds of challenges across the globe with no boundaries. Stefen Hash said. “This is a profession with risk and new challenges everyday. We are glad to share our knowledge with Gambia Police Force,” he ended.    

Assistant Inspector General, Landing Bonjang said the training marks another milestone in the transformation of the police Intervention Unit. AIG Bojang expressed gratitude to the German government for the support through the GPST.

He said since the beginning of this training undertaken by the Garman Police Support Team(GPST) the PIU has undergone a series of tactical modules under public order management ranging from basic formations.

AIG Bojang noted that the training includes movement of teams in a single unit, self skills movement of using different tactics depending on the behavior of the disturbance and a lot more.

Mr Bojang said the skills gained from the training will surely enhance the PIUs in their duties and functions professionally. He assured that the training will help them to provide security during elections when it’s needed.

He said since he was appointed as AIG, most of his operational tactics are done by the PIU officers and it’s done professionally.

 

By Dawda Baldeh