200 police recruits are vetted in Baidoa by Somali Police Force and AMISOM Police

Somali Police Force supported by AMISOM Police have started the process of selection of 200 more police officers in Baidoa, who will be trained and deployed in the south west region.

The new recruits underwent vetting, screening and selection. AMISOM Chief Superintendent of Police Saleh Samaila is leading the team that is conducting the vetting and screening exercise.

The exercise, which is happening after the passing out in November 2015, of 200 police officers who had successfully completed their training, aims to have recruited and trained 600 officers for the Interim South West Administration.

General Ibrahim Maalim Kutub, the Police Commissioner for the south west region, thanked AMISOM and the international community for supporting the training.

“We are here today to screen and vet the second batch of police recruits comprising of 200. A team from AMISOM Police is here in Baidoa carrying out the screening and selection process. We are in the final stage today,” he stated.

The commissioner expressed optimism that the new recruits will be a boost to the Police in the south west region. He said: “We hope the new recruits will maintain security and enhance law and order, and will be a boost to the capacity of the Somali Police Force.”

The process of vetting, selection and screening of the potential officers, includes analysis and documentation of their biometric data, essential medical tests, as well as written exams to gauge their proficiency in writing. This is an important skill for them, as it determines their capability to take statements and record keep their work.

“We have screened 218, out of which 22 are female. We are hoping to get more female recruits because in environments like this, we need female officers who will take care of children, who will search women and help women in need,” explained AMISOM’s Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Saleh Samaila.

The vetting exercise, part of the mandate of AMISOM Police, in which it builds capacity of Somali police, will be completed within 10 days.