NeNew Police Academy opens in Somalia
Wed. December 28, 2005 (Posted).

UNDP Somalia Press Release

Armo, Puntland (20 December 2005) – The first police academy to be built in Somalia for several years officially opened today, Somali Police Day, at Armo, 100 kilometres south of Bossaso in the northeast of Somalia.

In its first operational phase, the initial intake of 130 male and 20 female cadets from different regions joined the Armo Police Academy on 10 December 2005.

“This is a momentous occasion for us,” Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi said. “The young women and men who will come out of this training will form part of the new Somalia, where the rights of every Somali are protected and the rule of law will prevail. We cannot waiver in our quest to change the way things have been for the last decade and a half and more.”

To ensure quality and uniformity across the police force, the challenging three-month training course will be a continuation of the one developed by the UNDP Programme on Rule of Law and Security (ROLS) at the Mandera Police Academy in Somaliland which was first rehabilitated in 1999. This covers community policing, basic police training, non-violent disarmament, physical fitness, self-defense, marching and theory. Computer lessons will also be provided. Upon graduation, the cadets will then be able to take up posts in different law enforcement sections such as the traffic police, the mobile unit, criminal investigation department, manning complaints desk at the police stations, internal affairs, etc.

UNDP Somalia Resident Representative Maxwell Gaylard said: “This is without a doubt, one of the highlights of this year. We are privileged to have been involved in the establishment of this Academy and recognise that it will enhance the peacemaking efforts of ordinary Somalis, the authorities and the civil society.”

The ultimate aim of the Law Enforcement component of the ROLS Programme is to establish a professional civilian police force able to effectively contribute to the restoration of peace while gaining the trust of the community, and the development and provision of high calibre training. Part of ensuring the longevity of the Academy is the engagement of former police officers to conduct the training.

Particular recognition must be conferred to the people of the Armo community who provided the land at no cost, constructed the trainers’ accommodation and the water pipe system from the town to the Academy.

The Rule of Law and Security Programme Law Enforcement component is supported by the Department for International Development (DFID), Denmark, European Commission, Norway, Sweden, UNDP, the UNDP Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) and the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS).