At least 38 officers of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) were, on Friday, promoted to various ranks, ranging from chief superintendent, superintendent, assistant superintendent to commissioner, at a ceremony held at the Police Headquarters in Banjul.

Two officers were promoted to the rank of police commissioner, three others to the rank of deputy commissioner, five to chief superintendent, 10 to superintendent and 18 to the rank of assistant superintendent.

The decoration ceremony came following the promotion of the officers, which is largely dependent on dedication, hard work and commitment to duty.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ousman Sonko, the secretary of state for Interior, said promotion in the Gambian security services is based on hard work and commitment, but was quick to add that this does not necessarily mean that others are not hard working. However, the Interior SoS urged them to redouble their efforts in order to enjoy the privilege.

He also urged the newly promoted officers to be steadfast, dedicated, loyal and support the government by executing their duties fairly and efficiently.

"Be aware that all eyes are open and your performance will be measured with regards to your assigned tasks and approach to work," SoS Sonko added.

For his part, Ensa Badjie, Inspector General of  Police, said promotion always denotes new responsibilities and challenges, which they are expected to live up to.
The IGP maintained that he will not tolerate segregation within the force, fabrication of evidence against each other, disloyalty to the state and "sheep in wolf clothing".

According to him, most of the newly promoted officers will be posted to major stations in the country, with their deputies as chief inspectors and relief-commanders as inspectors and sub-inspectors.

Lt. Colonel Yakuba Drammeh, the chief of Army Staff, who deputised for the chief of Defence Staff, advised the promoted officers to work hard and be committed to their duty.

Major Lamin B.O Baaji, the director of the National Intelligence Agency and FRI Jammeh, also expressed similar sentiments.