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.

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INTERNAL AND REGIONAL CHALLENGES
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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.

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NON-MILITARY CAPABILITIES
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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.

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TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
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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.

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RESPONSE TO U.S. PARTNERSHIP
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The Government of The Gambia has been very cooperative on law
enforcement issues and would eagerly accept any USG law enforcement
and judicial training.

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OTHER INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
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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.

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REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER
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There is no existing or planned non-military regional training
center in The Gambia.

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EMBASSY POC
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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