The Gambia Police Force (GPF) Wednesday held a one-day sensitisation on community policing for community leaders and youths of Bakoteh at the Alkalo’s residence in Bakoteh. The sensitisation was meant to share ideas and solve certain problems at the community level.

Speaking at the meeting, Alhaji Meta Jassey, the alkalo of Bakoteh, said that since the Inspector General of Police, Yankuba Sonko, was appointed to the position, the police have been everywhere in the countryfor security purposes. He also stated that community policing has been a longstanding relationship between the police and the community. Jassey finally urged the participants to share the knowledge gained with their colleagues.

For his part, Yusupha Sanyang, the deputy mayor of the Kanifing Municipality, spoke on community safety, security and development. He said that safety, security and development of the country is important, noting that the security is meant to protect the life and property of the citizenry. He also stressed that the police cannot do it all, saying that that is why the community is brought in to assist the police.

ASP Foday Balago, station officer at the Bakoteh Station, said that their aim is to make The Gambia free from all forms of crime. He also assured that their doors are open to the public to report and discuss the way forward. Superintendent Kate Harding explained that community policing has been existing for quite a long time. “Certain crimes happening in The Gambia are new to us, we should come together to put an end to those crimes,” she added.

Harding urged the community to furnish the police with information to protect the country, noting that there is a difference between informant and witness. Other speakers included Inspector Sambujang Fatty and Cadet ASP David Kujabi, the public relations officer of the GPF.