About 22 police officers have completed a two-week investigator course on sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) and female genital mutilation (FGM).

The training was conducted by the German Police Support Team (GPST).

A statement from The Gambia Police said, “22 participants from a wide range of duty stations within the Gambia Police Force and two thirds of them being female officers, were taught various useful skills for dealing with SGBV and FGM cases.

“The officers learned to identify, investigate, and prevent SGBV and FGM. 

“Further items on the curriculum were interrogation, evidence collecting, rule of law regarding SGBV/ FGM, types of FGM, and follow-up with victims of SGBV/ FGM.”

“To support the work of the officers, two evidence collection kits were handed over.”

“Two expert trainers, Ms Dürmeier from the Federal Police and Mr Müller from the State Police of Baden-Württemberg, had travelled to The Gambia to teach the course. 

The ceremony was presided over by AIG Demba Sowe, Crime Management Coordinator of the GPF, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba