HirShabelle State launches training of police recruits

About 205 youthful recruits from the HirShabelle State
Police Force, have commenced basic police training at the HirShabelle State Police Training Academy, in Jowhar.

The training was officially launched on Thursday by HirShabelle State President, Mohamed Abdi Ware, the AMISOM Police Commissioner, Augustine Magnus Kailie, and the State Minister of Security, Mohamed Abdirahman Kheyre.

Instructors from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) will support the SPF to deliver new officer recruit basic training.

Early this year, HirShabelle State launched a police recruitment drive as part of the Joint Police Programme, which is led by the Federal Government of Somalia, with support from AMISOM, UNSOM UN Police, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the European Union, UK Aid and the German Federal Foreign Office.

The police recruitment supports the Somali Transition Plan, which will establish capable and accountable security forces to secure Somalia when AMISOM exits.

Upon completion of the initial basic training, the personnel will be deployed to deliver policing services to population centres and main supply routes in Hiraan and Middle Shabelle regions.

President Mohamed Abdi Ware hailed the recruit selection process and urged the police trainees to serve Somalia with commitment.

“You will benefit from the training and have the honour to serve as police officers for HirShabelle and Somalia,” President Ware said.

The recruits, include 22 females, who will undergo three months training as part of efforts to build a police force to secure HirShabelle State.

AMISOM Police Commissioner, ACIP Kailie, who was also on a familiarisation visit to HirShabelle State, recognised the importance of women’s participation in Somalia’s
security sector.

“It is a great stride to have women enlisted, and we hope their participation will increase in the future,” said Kailie.

Security Minister, Mohamed Abdirahman Kheyre hailed AMISOM and international partners for the support to build the capacity of the police in Somalia.

“AMISOM and international partners have supported efforts to build the police and other security agencies, especially in Hirshabelle,” noted Minister Kheyre.

The AMISOM police coordinating officer in HirShabelle State, Mwala Yuyi, explained that AMISOM plans to support the training of federal and state level police to ensure the successful implementation of the Somali Transition Plan and community policing under the New Policing Model in Somalia.

“Those that graduated previously have already been deployed, and the report from the field indicates that they are performing well,” Mwala stated.