The Gambia Police Force’s Community Policing Unit has extended its outreach programme to Batokunku, engaging residents on ways to strengthen ties between the police and the community.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Human Rights and Professional Standards Unit and the Policy Planning and Coordination Unit.

It was led by Superintendent Mariama Jallow Badjie, who said the aim was to foster trust, improve cooperation, and encourage proactive crime prevention.

During the meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Police Malang Keita introduced visiting police counterparts from Estonia.

Officer Carlos, currently stationed in The Gambia, explained a “reflector initiative” designed to improve safety for schoolchildren and road users at night.

Reflectors, he said, could make people visible from up to 130 metres away.

Corporal Foday Nyassi outlined the principles and challenges of community policing, stressing the role of traditional leaders in bridging gaps between police and residents.

He called for stronger teamwork and a shift towards preventing crime before it occurs.

ASP Ya Jarbou Kanyi of the Human Rights and Professional Standards Unit spoke on reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability in policing, adding that respect for human rights was central to those changes.

A question-and-answer session raised issues including the lack of official communication channels for police officers, unprofessional conduct during arrests, and calls for reflective markers at speed bumps to improve night-time visibility.

The Alkalo of Batokunku, Ba Alagie Jerreh Jatta, thanked the police delegation and urged continued engagement through outreach and radio programmes.

He also encouraged targeting youth groups to help prevent crime, saying that every citizen had a role to play in supporting law enforcement.

By Adama Makasuba