AMISOM Police Newsletter Quarter 2

AMISOM

POLICE newsletter A P R - J U N

2 0 1 6

Second Quarter 2016 Edition

Message from the Police Commissioner Welcome to this edition of the AMISOM Police e-Newsletter.

It is inspiring to note that during this period, AMISOM Police Component continued to provide a diverse range of capacity

building initiatives and programmes designed to support Somalia Police, along the lines of police reform, training, mentoring, operational support and capacity enhancement, both in Mogadishu and in the Federal Member States.

The Individual Police Officers and Formed Police Units are collocated with the Somali Police at the Police Headquarters, the General Kahiye Police Academy, four Police Divisions in the Banaadir Region, and in the capitals of the Federal Member States, Baidoa, Kismayo and Beletweyne. They are not confined to the AMISOM Military protected areas, but deployed to volatile and unpredictable areas to support the Somali Police Tremendous progress has been made in capacitating and “Currently there is an ongoing verification process to determine that all Somali police officers registered are employed at their functional positions within the organisation.�

strengthening the Somali Police and the Somali Police

Anand Pillay

However much still has to be done in developing and

Institutions to empower and enable them to perform their statutory functions, duties and responsibilities effectively. organising the Somali Police in a Federal Police System. The Somali Provisional Constitution provides for a two tier policing

Inside This Issue Page 1 : Message from the Police Commisioner Page 3 : Security in Somalia improving

system, on a Federal Level and Federal Member State Level.

The delineation of the roles, functions, responsibilities, and accountability on the Federal Level and Federal Member State Level is not provided for in the provisional Constitution. Similarly, the relationship, coordination and the synchronisation between the Federal Level and Member State Level as well as between the Federal Member States is not

Page 4 : More than 100 police officers graduate in Kismayo Page 5 : AMISOM undertakes police reform

initiatives in federal states Page 6 : Four hundred youths recruited to undergo

police training Page 7 : AMISOM officers train on communication skills Page 8 : AMISOM Formed Police Unit helps

secure Mogadishu Page 10 : Question and Answer with the AMISOM

Police Training Coordinator

Page 12 : Community policing song launched

clear. However, this will be addressed during the constitutional review process and clearly identified in the final document which will be approved by the people of Somalia. Currently, only basic policing in terms of the Federal Police System framework has been agreed between the Federal Minister of Internal Security and the Federal State Ministers responsible for policing in their respective States. There is high hope that other critical issues of policing will also be agreed upon.

In effort to enhance its support to the Somali Police and Somali Police Institutions, AMISOM reviewed its Police Concept of Operations (CONOPS) at a workshop held in Nairobi in June. The workshop was attended by representatives of AMISOM Police, Military and Civilian Components.

African Union, UNSOM,

UNSOS, Somali Police and donor community representatives also attended the meeting, where the revised CONOPS was accepted and thereafter approved by the African Union, Peace and Security Council for implementation.

Page 2

AMISOM Police Newsletter

2016 The AMISOM Police Component started implementing the

Message from The Police Commissioner

cont’d

The revised CONOPS provides clear guidelines to the AMISOM Police Component in its mandate to help establish and reform Somali Police Institutions. The priorities are identified as follows;

reviewed tasks by helping the Somali Authorities conduct a complete assessment of the current status of the Somali Police.

A human resources management database was developed and all police officers biometrically registered on the database.

Currently there is an ongoing verification process to determine that all police officers registered are employed at their functional positions within the organisation. Two teams of police reform experts were deployed to Baidoa and Kismayo to support South West and Jubbaland in establishing State Police forces. Technical Committees were formed in both States and

a)

Support the Somali Security forces in securing the 2016

Somali Electoral Process.

the progress made has been encouraging. AMISOM Police

b)

Support the establishment of the Federal and Federal

Shabelle, once the state formation process is completed.

Member State Police Institutions.

c)

Support the Somali Authorities to define the roles,

without a clear Federal and Federal Member State Policing

functions, responsibilities of the Federal Level and

framework or system. It is the intention of AMISOM Police

Federal Member State Level security forces

to consult with the Federal Minister and State Ministers

d)

Support the Somali Authorities to define the relationship,

coordination and synchronisation between the Federal

Level and Member State Level as well as between the

Federal Member States.

e)

Support the Somali Authorities develop policy guidelines

and standard operational procedures to assist in the

interim management, administration, control, and

accountability of the Somali Police in the absence of

promulgated police legislation, regulations and orders.

e)

Support the Somali Authorities to identify the structures

on each level within the Federal and Federal Member

States Policing framework or system and define the

roles, functions, responsibilities, and accountability of

each of the functional police positions within the

structures. f )

Conduct a complete assessment of the Somali Police

to determine their current status and thereafter

determine their needs or requirements in terms of

personnel, training and resources that is required to

effectively police Somalia within Federal and Federal

Member States structures.

g)

Support the Somali Police through partners and donors

to pension aged police personnel and retire those who

are deemed unfit for service.

i)

Support the Somali Police through partners and donors

to reform and develop the Somali Police and Police

Institutions, according to their needs as determined

through the assessments conducted on both the

Federal and Federal Member State level in a gradual,

systematic, structured and sustainable manner.

intends to extend the process to the Galmudug and Hiiraan/

Currently, the initiatives taken are done in an informal manner

responsible for policing to decide on a comprehensive Federal Policing Framework or System. This will be done after the completion of the 2016 Somali Electoral process. Similarly, AMISOM Police intends to vigorously engage partners and donors to support the Somali Police in a coordinated manner according to their needs and aspirations.

The AMISOM exit strategy does not affect the AMISOM Police Component. It is expected that the AMISOM Military Component will drawdown in October 2018 with the final withdrawal in 2010. In view of the drawdown of the Military, the CONOPS makes provisions for a gradual shift from military to police-led security operations. This means that the AMISOM Police numbers will increase in order to assist and support the development of the Somali Police to effectively police the country.

This was brief summary of the Police CONOPS and the expectations required from the Police Component. However, it is important to note that all will not be possible without the contribution of the dedicated members of the Police Component, our partners, donors, the International Community and the leadership of the Somali Police Intuitions. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all involved in the support to the Somali Police.

Thank you,

Click Here To Watch The AMISOM Police Documentary

AMISOM Police Newsletter

Page 3 2016

Security in Somalia is improving says Somali Federal Police Force Commissioner

the police service, currently receiving training and mentorship

The strong collaboration on matters security between the African

“People do not realize the improvements made in security. They

Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali Police Forces is beginning to bear fruit.

According to Somali Federal Police Force Commissioner, Gen

from AMISOM Police, is becoming stronger by the day, focusing on internal security and learning fast from terror attacks that take place in Mogadishu and elsewhere.

only comment when there is an explosion or suicide attack.

These attacks will continue as long as we have radicalized youths.

It is not an easy thing as it is also happening in the developed

countries. However, since 2010, we are in a better state of Mohammed Sheikh Hamud, the country’s security has been security”, Gen. Hamud told a group of journalists from troop and improving following the strengthening of the police force despite police contributing countries. the constant threat of terrorist attacks from Al-Shabaab.

Gen Hamud who spoke at a joint media briefing attended by the

The journalists were in Mogadishu to report on Somalia and the

steps AMISOM has made in stabilizing the country and degrading AMISOM Police Commissioner, Anand Pillay, in April, noted that Al-Shabaab.

The Somali Federal Police Force Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud (right) flanked by the AMISOM Police Commissioner Anand Pillay address journalists at a press conference in Mogadishu, Somalia

Brig. Gen. Pillay concurred with the Gen. Hamud’s remarks saying

has already made appeals to the international community for

the country’s revamped police force is being structured to

more weaponry to be used in maintaining law and order.

accommodate the new federal system of government. “We have revised our concept of operations to align with the new political status. Now we are in all the Somali regions”, the AMISOM Police Commissioner said.

AMISOM offers 12 week basic training courses for the Somalia police officers before their deployment, followed by on-the-job training.

Gen. Hamud said the force needed more ammunition and equipment to bring it up to full capacity. The Federal Government

His remarks came days after the Security Council expressed grave concern at the fragility of the security situation in Somalia but paid tribute to African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali Security Forces for their efforts in reducing the threat posed by Al-Shabaab.

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Ready to serve; more than 100 Somali Police officers graduate in Kismayo

“You are needed to keep the culture and discipline and to

A total of 198 Somali police graduated in Kismayo in May, this

your weapons,” the Somali Police Commissioner advised the new

year, after a three-month intensive training, organized by AMISOM Police. The new officers have already been deployed to Kismayo town to maintain law and order.

They formed the first batch of 600 officers from Jubbaland, trained with funding from UK’s Department for International

serve the people. Don’t misuse your positions and power in the community. Endeavour to assist the vulnerable and don’t misuse officers.

The Deputy Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson (DSRCC) for Somalia, Lydia Wanyoto, emphasized the important role played by local security institutions. She asked the new officers to uphold discipline and

Development (DFID).

impact positively on the lives of the communities they serve.

The training focused on basic principles of policing, arrest

She made a case for recruitment of more female officers into the

of suspects and public order management. The recruits were also taught aspects of human rights law to ensure they uphold

police force, saying the move will help strengthen the country’s security forces. There were only 12 women police officers out of

international standards of policing while on duty.

the 198 officers who graduated.

Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam, the Deputy Special

“We would like to see more women join the Somali Police Force. I

Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson for Somalia (DSRCC), Lydia Wanyoto, Somali Police Commissioner, General Mohammed Sheikh Hamud, AMISOM Police Commissioner, Anand Pillay, and the UN Police Commissioner, Christopher Buik, were among dignitaries who attended the passing out ceremony held in Kismayo.

Somali Police Commissioner, General Mohamed Hassan Hamud, urged the officers to be diligent in their work and help keep Somalia safe.

applaud the 12 that are already with us, to serve the community.

I congratulate them in addition to their male counterparts,” said Ms Wanyoto.

AMISOM Police Commissioner, Anand Pillay, expressed the commitment of the Force to continue mentoring and training the Somali police officers, while the Interim Jubbaland Administration President, Ahmed Mohamed Islam, urged them to uphold a high sense of discipline and professionalism.

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AMISOM undertakes police reform initiatives in federal states

AMISOM Police Commissioner Anand Pillay with Jubbaland Administration Officials in a meeting to discuss Training of 600 Police Recruits

The AMISOM Police Component deployed two teams of police

ensure effective and efficient administrative and operational

reform experts to South West State and Jubbaland to help the

management of the force. The Police Technical Committees have

two federal states establish police institutions as prescribed in

already on the organizational structure with the corresponding

the Somali Provisional Constitution.

duties and responsibilities. However, the organizational structure will have to be formally adopted by the authorities of the

The team engaged with the relevant authorities in the two

Federal and Federal Member States during consultations on a

states and helped form technical committees to spearhead

comprehensive Somali Policing Framework.

the establishment of the State Police Institutions. A complete assessment also was conducted to determine the current status

It is gratifying to note that the State Policing Institutions are

of policing in the two states and the requirements needed to

becoming a reality with the South West State of Somalia having

establish a fully functional State Police Institution.

600 police officers trained and deployed and the Jubbaland State of Somalia the state having 400 police trained and de-

In addition, an elaborate Reform and Development Plan was

ployed. This was made possible through AMISOM personnel who

drafted by the Police Technical Committee in each state to

provided the training, with the Department for International

capacitate the State Police Institutions, with special reference to

Development (DFID) donating the funds.

infrastructure development, personnel recruitment and provision of logistics and equipment.

Currently, AMISOM is concentrating on basic police training, the provision of infrastructure and basic logistics and equipment

A proposed structure for the State Police Forces was also

for the police officers to be able to provide an effective policing

developed, stipulating command and control and respective

service to their communities.

duties and responsibilities at each level. The structure also establishes department and units within the state police to

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AMISOM Police Newsletter

2016

Four hundred youths recruited to undergo police training in Baidoa and Kismayo

AMISOM Police and the Somali Police Force officials conducted

to pass out. We are now preparing, vetting the next two hundred,

a major recruitment exercise in the South West and Jubbaland

whom we are targeting for the next phase of training. It is

federal states in April and May this year.

necessary to vet them because we want to get young and vibrant

The exercise in which saw a total of 400 youths recruited (200 for each state), to undergo an intensive three months intensive training, also involved regional administration officials and traditional elders.

The process included taking recruits’ photos, fingerprints and other biometric data, as well as medical and physical check-up.

Vetting of recruits partially aims to bar infiltration of Al-Shabaab militants into the force. The recruits also underwent literacy tests to determine their fluency in relevant languages. This is important because policing also involves effective communication.

In the South West State of Somalia (SWSS), the exercise completed the 600 officers target AMISOM Police had pledged to train for SWSS with funding from DFID. “We did phase one in which 200 recruits were trained and deployed. Phase two of the training was completed last month.

The one we are currently conducting is phase three comprising 200 recruits making a total of 600,” said AMISOM Chief Superintendent of Police, Saleh Samaila.

The deployment of the 600-strong police force of SWSS is expected to improve public safety and security in the region and further bring policing closer to the community in Baidoa.

In Kismayo, the exercise, conducted in May, was the second phase of vetting and recruitment for the Jubbaland Police. The recruits underwent a 3-month intensive course before their deployment to rural locations in Jubbaland state.

“The first two hundred (trained in phase 1) are already prepared

people who will safe guard the security of Kismayo,’’ explained Chief Superintendent Samaila.

“We did phase one in which 200 recruits

were trained and deployed. Phase two of the training was completed last month.

The one we are currently conducting is phase three comprising 200 recruits making a total of 600” ~ AMISOM Chief Superintendent of Police, Saleh Samaila.

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Page 7 2016

AMISOM Police officers train on communication skills Thirty-nine AMISOM Police officers underwent a communication course in April to empower them with the necessary skills needed to mentor their Somali Police Force counterparts.

The one-week course focused on mentoring skills and adherence to the Police Code of Conduct whiles serving at the Mission.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Francis Aryee, who spoke at the function, said training was important in the mentorship programme and helping the Federal Government establish the necessary security institutions.

ACP Aryee urged the officers to transfer the knowledge acquired to their colleagues in the sectors, adding that the move would ensure the necessary training and mentoring standards are maintained. “To be able to justify our presence here we need to tell the outside world and those who established this Mission exactly what we are doing to build the capacity of the Somali Police, reform and restructure their programs. If we do not do that we will be failing not only the Mission but also ourselves,� he said.

Assistant Superintendent of Police, Albert Akpoilih, one of the trainers, said the course was part of a series of in-house trainings aimed at improving the skills of AMISOM police officers to ensure effective execution of their mandate.

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Police officers in a group photo at the end of a communication and presentation skills course held in Mogadishu

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AMISOM Formed Police Unit helps secure Mogadishu

Security officers from AMISOM and Somali Police worked round

grenades at police stations. We worked hard to thwart their

the clock to lock out Al-Shabaab from breaching the peace during

plans,” says Capt. Abubakar.

the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The officer said the joint security operations yielded positive

According to senior security officials at AMISOM, the officers

results as security officers recovered illegal weapons and

had to stay on high alert to thwart heinous plans by Al-Shabaab

arrested suspected terrorists.

militants who normally go on overdrive to inflict maximum damage during Ramadan. As a result, securing Mogadishu city was top priority.

The two security teams conducted night patrols, as well as cordon and search operations to apprehend suspected criminals and AlShabaab militants bent on destabilising public peace.

Some of the weapons recovered during the operations included automatic rifles, pistols, bombs, grenades and ammunition, military uniforms, radio communication equipment, motor vehicles, motorcycles, mobile phones and counterfeit currencies.

Though the operations have helped improve security in the capital city, the officers acknowledged the achievements normally come

According to Superintendent of Police, Samuel Aliria Abbedi,

at a cost. A Nigerian FPU officer narrated an incident in which

AMISOM Formed Police Unit Commander, who recently rotated

AMISOM-SP team came under Al-Shabaab fire while on routine

out, joint patrols were conducted both day and night during the

night patrol. “We fought them off for an entire three hours and

month of June.

and managed to overpower them. Security normally comes at a

“As AMISOM Police, we showed our Somali Police colleagues, ways

cost,” he narrated.

of beefing up security and we also did share intelligence with them. We cooperated very well during the Month of Ramadan,” said Abbedi.

Capt. Fuad Abubakar, the Somali Federal Police Officer in charge of operations against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), confirmed the security forces were able to minimize cases of insecurity during the Holy Month of Ramadan due to the highlevel cooperation with AMISOM Police officers.

“Al-Shabaab normally carries out attacks during the first 10 days as well as in the middle of the Ramadan fasting season. They carry out attacks such as launching mortars in town and hurling

A police officer stands on parade during preparations by the AMISOM police component, to conduct patrols in Mogadishu city during the holy month of Ramadan.

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Mogadishu city secured during Ramadan

fasting and prayers, threats against them are heightened. We

This year’s Holy Month of Ramadan was observed peacefully in

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Francis Ayitey Aryee, said while

the capital city following the beefing up of security by AMISOM and Somali Police.

The officers were deployed to work hand in hand with the Somali Police Force officers to ensure members of the public go about their normal activities without disruptions.

The officers comprised personnel from the Formed Police Units (FPUs) of Uganda and Nigeria, and Individual Police Officers (IPOs) and were stationed at key and strategic locations as part of new measures to help curb insecurity and maintain peace during

have done a threat assessment analysis and have put in place strategies to enable us provide protection and security to residents of Somalia during the month of Ramadhan,” AMISOM flagging off the operation.

Apart from routine patrols, the officers set up snap check points and took part in cordon and search operations, all aimed at securing Mogadishu and preventing terrorist activities by AlShabaab militants.

The Acting AMISOM Police Operations Coordinator, Emmanuel Mukama, said the team was being deployed in a support role.

“They are deployed to support the Somali Police in town. There

Ramadan observed in June.

were areas that were allocated to the Somali Police Force after

“Experience has shown that in the month of Ramadan, whereas

the Somali Police Force,” Mukama said.

our brothers and sisters engage in communing with Allah through

Mogadishu was zoned into four areas. Our mandate is to support

A police officer serving in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in an armoured vehicle.

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Q and A with ACP Francis Aryee AMISOM Police Training and Development Coordinator

Security is paramount for any country coming out of a pro-longed civil war and Somalia is not an exception. AMISOM has been active in helping the country establish a strong police unit capable of restoring law and order. AMISOM Police Training Coordinator, Francis Aryee, explained why establishing a strong Somali Police is critical.

The mandate of the AMISOM Police is to build individual and

Recruiting women into the police force is still a challenge. Are

interventions is training Somali Police Force officers. How is it

Police Force?

institutional capacity of the Somali Police Force. One of the key contributing to the stabilization of Somalia?

there any incentives in place to encourage women to join Somali

Currently, we have 6, 124 SPF officers, 688 of whom are female.

You will recall that the Somali Police Force virtually collapsed

Getting women involved in policing is of vital importance. Apart

after the onset of the civil war. Since the intervention of AMISOM

from being one of the ways of effecting gender equality, women

and the international community to restore stability, there has

are capable of providing effective policing services to all gender.

been need to re-activate the force and raise its level of policing

When the memorandum of understanding for recruitment and

to internationally accepted standards. This entails having a police

training of police officers was signed between Department for

force that is not only capable of providing protection, safety

International Development (DFID) and the regional states, it was

and security to the communities they serve, but also capable of

agreed that every group of 200 trained, at least 10 percent must

discharging its policing role and responsibilities, while respecting

be women.

and promoting human rights and rule of law.

In cognisance of this fact, AMISOM Police, has been involved in the basic recruit training and cadet training and also offering necessary advice to the force. AMISOM Police has placed a lot of emphasis on on-the-job training and practical training through mentoring and advising Somali Police Forces.

How long do the training courses for SPF last and is the period adequate enough to recruit and train an individual to fully become an officer?

In the regional states, the basic recruits program lasts three months. The cadet-level training for the SPF lasts at least six months. However, policing is not done in the classroom, it is

AMISOM Police Newsletter

Page 11 2016

practiced. The police component has a group of mentors, who

and we hope it will be fully implemented because that is what

go to various police stations to mentor the SPF. So we consider

the police will rely on in executing their mandate.

that as on-the-job training and that is very practical. Apart from the theory lessons, which comprise scenarios and simulation exercises, the officers learn on the job with the help of mentors.

The training strategic plan comprises basic recruit training, cadet

Community policing is an integral part of policing worldwide.

How is AMISOM helping Somali Police implement community policing?

training, refresher courses and specialised courses.

We have trained a number of the SPF in community policing and

One of the ways AMISOM trains Somali Police Force (SPF) is

together we have developed a Community Policing Strategy, which

through mentorship programmes. How is this progressing?

is being finalised. A community policing song has been developed

One of the key aspects of this is co-location, which provides the

training programs, for instance, in the basic recruit training,

opportunity to build the necessary trust and rapport. It gives us

we take them through community policing and its principles.

the opportunity to see what the SPF officers are doing and to offer

This is pro-active policing, quite different from traditional

the necessary advice. The overall objective is that we want them

policing, which is reactive. In a post-conflict environment like

to offer policing as per internationally accepted standards. The

this, community policing is key. Policing is supposed to be for

challenge we have is that we are yet to identify all the SPF officers

the community, with the community and by the community.

to mentor. This is because the department is undergoing a major

Therefore, we must engage the community to determine the

restructuring process aimed at strengthening the department.

existing security problems and involve them in finding solutions,

However, there is hope we will be able to identify all the officers,

as well as in the implementation of those solutions.

and launched. Community policing is also incorporated in our

once the biometric registration exercise is completed.

For any security programme to be effective there must be adequate security infrastructure, which Somalia lacks. challenging is the infrastructure problem in Somalia?

How

Lately criminals and terrorists have been engaging in asymmetrical warfare going for soft targets like hotels,

restaurants, public transport especially in Mogadishu. How can the situation be improved?

Decades of civil war have degraded the country’s infrastructure

Countering terrorism will require a two-pronged approach,

which is important in recovery and stabilization. This is a big

that is, prevention and mitigation. Prevention works through

challenge and a holistic approach is required to correct the

strengthening intelligence gathering and acting on the information

situation. The police department will function better and be able

gathered. We also need to review our policing strategies from

to meet the expectations of the population only if appropriate

time to time and heighten our levels of security. Nothing should

structures are in place. It not only includes logistics and

be taken for granted. More importantly, basic needs of the police

equipment but also knowledge and skills. Police reforms, for

officers must be met. It is difficult to get the best out of police

example, cannot achieve positive results without an effective

officers who have gone for months without their pay. This lowers

and efficient justice system. In addition the framework for a new

their morale. It is stated in the constitution of many countries

model of policing in Somalia that introduces the Federal Police

that police should be well catered for and adequately equipped

Force and the State Police Force is a move in the right direction

to perform their duties of maintaining law and order.

Page 12 AMISOM Police Newsletter AMISOM and Somali Police Force launch 2016 community policing song

Invited guests, members of the community, Somali and AMISOM Police officers join Somali singers performing a jig during the launch of the Somali Police community policing song held in Mogadishu.

“The community policing song aims to integrate the public

with the Somali Police. AMISOM has played a crucial role in the preparation of the song. The Police exist to serve the community, but if the police and the community don’t work together, there is no reliable security.

”

~ Somali Federal Police Force Commissioner Major General Mohamud Sheikh Hassan Hamud

Click Here To Play Community Policing Song

A community police song aimed at rallying the public to

together, there is no reliable security,” the Somali Federal

support police efforts to maintain law and order was

Police Force Commissioner Major General Mohamud Sheikh

launched in Mogadishu.

Hassan Hamud said.

The song which received positive reception from the public

The lyrics of the song are a composition of encouraging

both on broadcast media and YouTube was launched by the

messages that support police-public partnerships.

Somali Police with the help of AMISOM Police.

“We have 14 officers who have recently graduated and

The launch of the song was a culmination of a series of

we are very pleased to have these officers here with us

community policing sensitization activities conducted by

today” said the Police Commissioner, during the launch.

both AMISOM Police and Somali Police Force. The objective

The 14 officers were awarded certificates for successfully

of community policing is to encourage residents to play

completing an intensive policing course.

a bigger role in keeping their neighbourhoods safe and secure. It also encourages communities to collaborate with security agencies on security matters.

The song, which was launched at a ceremony held in the capital Mogadishu and presided over by Somali Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, marshals peaceloving Somalis to take keen interest and responsibility for their safety and security.

“The community policing song aims to integrate the public with the Somali Police. AMISOM has played a crucial role in the preparation of the song. The Police exist to serve the community, but if the police and the community don’t work

AMISOM Police Commissioner Anand Pillay attended the launch of the community policing song. Others were senior officials from the Somali Police Force and the Federal Government of Somalia.

The Somali Police Force with assistance from the police component of the African Union Mission in Somalia is spearheading community policing projects in Mogadishu’s 15 districts, Jubbaland and the Interim South West Administration.