Highlights:
Jubbaland Administration and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Police component involved the residents of the Kismayo port city in the first community policing event.
The exercise was set to involve the city residents in the management security that would enable mutual cooperation between the security forces and the public towards a common security goal.
Summary:
AMISOM police and the Jubbaland administration join the Port City of Kismayo resident in a crucial first community policing event aimed at involving the public in security management.
The exercise concentrated on invoking the residents to partner with the Somali Police Forces, State police forces and the AMISOM police and or troops in reporting crime, sharing information towards a common security goal for Kismayo.
Community policing project have recorded high success rates in reducing crime as well as prevention with the most successful project being the ‘Nyumba Kumi Initiative’ in neighboring Kenya. The project provides that you know people in your neighborhood to ensure that any new entrants or suspicious activities are noticed and reported to the police.
The Kismayo project will however involve a sensitization training program for the community that will ease the tension and enhance the collaboration between the police and the residents. The policing project is set to increase the women involvement citing the important role they play due to their resourcefulness and ability to acquire information.
AMISOM Police Public Information Officer, Chief Inspector John Marete expressed optimism saying, “We are here as part of our mandate which is institutional and individual capacity building of the SPF and also support them in forms of we undertake joint operations, especially where we have a Formed Police Units. So, we are here today because we want to preach community policing”.
