GAMBIA: THE NEED FOR INCREASED LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDICIAL

UNCLAS BANJUL 000055 STATE: PLEASE PASS TO: AF/RSA - Christopher Pommerer; INL/AAE - Aaron Alton, and DS/T/ATA - Tony Gonzalez E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV SOCI KCRM ASEC XW XY XI GA SUBJECT: GAMBIA: THE NEED FOR INCREASED LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDICIAL TRAINING REFTEL(S): STATE 005448 ¶1. Per instructions in reftel, Embassy Banjul hereby provides its assessment of the need for increased law enforcement and judicial training in The Gambia. -------------- INTERNAL AND REGIONAL CHALLENGES -------------- ¶2. The regional challenges for The Gambia's non-military security apparatus focus mainly on the growing narcotics trade in West Africa. As for internal challenges, police units are ill-trained and equipped to manage low, but increasing, level of violent crime. Law Enforcement also lacks sufficient transportation to patrol neighboring areas to prevent crime. Officers rely heavily on 'word of mouth' for crime investigations, almost 90 percent. The lack of training and equipment for proper criminal investigation is a significant problem. For example, there is no forensic lab or trained forensic personnel in The Gambia and investigators have limited knowledge of what is required to unravel sophisticated crimes. -------------- NON-MILITARY CAPABILITIES -------------- ¶3. Capabilities to address these challenges are minimal. With limited transportation and other equipment at their disposal, plus the lack of the relevant knowledge and experience, the police and other security services are virtually hamstrung in their fight against crime. -------------- TRAINING REQUIREMENTS -------------- ¶4. Police officers in The Gambia receive a basic three month course from a poorly equipped local academy after recruitment. Only a few officers receive any further overseas training and fewer still receive any specialized training. Advanced training for senior officers and specialized training for the Criminal Investigation Unit and the Prosecution Division would be extremely useful. Police prosecutors should learn how to properly present their cases in court. Forensic equipment would also be helpful. The Gambia Police Force, under the Department of State for the Interior would be the host agency. -------------- RESPONSE TO U.S. PARTNERSHIP -------------- The Government of The Gambia has been very cooperative on law enforcement issues and would eagerly accept any USG law enforcement and judicial training. -------------- OTHER INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS -------------- The Gambia Police Force receives training assistance for a limited number of its officers from the British government. The Government of Taiwan also provides motorbikes to the force to facilitate movement. -------------- REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER -------------- There is no existing or planned non-military regional training center in The Gambia. -------------- EMBASSY POC -------------- The Embassy Point of Contact for such matters is: Ms. Tashawna S. Bethea Political-Economic Officer Tel. +220- 4392856 Ext. 2300 e-mail: BetheaTS@state.gov WELLS