AMISOM launches training course for Somali Police Force Commanders

MOGADISHU, Somalia, January 19, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Police Component of the African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM) has launched a capacity building and leadership-training, contributing to an ongoing Somali Police Force (SPF) training of ninety-seven junior police commanders. The training which is currently underway at Brigadier General Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu has been organized and funded by the SPF.

The 12-week training course will equip junior police commanders selected from various police stations across Mogadishu with skills and knowledge to perform their duties in newly liberated areas of Mogadishu.

AMISOM Police Training Coordinator Dr Benjamin said that the course has been launched at the right time, after priority areas for 2012 were determined at a consultative meeting on 7th January 2012 between AMISOM Police and Somali Police Force.

He said, “We were eager to contribute to this training because it was in line with our mandate to build the capacity of Somali Police Force (SPF) so that they can deliver services to the people. Our contribution to the SPF training will equip Somali police station commanders with the skills and knowledge to effectively perform their duties as police station commanders in newly liberated areas of Mogadishu.”

Brigadier General Ahmed Dayib Ahmed of the Somali Police Force said the SPF has a critical task to protect civilians and maintain law and order across the country. He said; “In this light we would like to encourage and train police commanders with the appropriate skills and knowledge to ensure that our police force will be able to maintain law and order once peace is secured in the country. “