190 Somali police recruits graduate in Baidoa

A total of 199 police recruits on Tuesday graduated from Police training centre in  Baidoa, a town lies about 250KM south Somalia’s capital city.

The officers completed a three-month intensive training programme conducted by the Police Component of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

The group is the third batch to graduate in Southwest state, in the past one-and-a-half years, bringing the total number of police officers, who have completed the training programme, to 600.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the centre, Somali Police Force (SPF) Commissioner, Mohamed Hassan Sheikh Hamud said the recruits were the last batch to graduate in SWSS, under the first phase of the training programme, urging the international community to continue aiding the country’s security forces.

“What we need is a continuation of this programme. This is the end of phase one but we like to have a continuation so as to ensure sustainability of these young police officers,” the SPF Commissioner.

Maj. Gen. Hamud also thanked AMISOM and development partners for supporting the SPF training programme.

Southwest parliament Speaker,Abdukadir Sharif Sheikhuna Maye who also spoke at the ceremony has reiterated the critical role the police played in maintaining law and order, urging the graduands to foster stronger relations with the public. Mr Maye also commended AMISOM and development partners for supporting Somalia.

“I want to thank the international community, donors and AMISOM for their endless support to the Somali people,” he added.

AMISOM has been aiding the Federal Government and regional states establish a strong security force capable of fighting terror and securing the country. Apart from recruiting and training officers, the Mission’s Police Component has not only donated security equipment to SPF but also helped construct and rehabilitate police stations in various parts of the country.