Inspector General of Police Seedy Mukhtar Touray has held high-level talks with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) aimed at strengthening cooperation in police training, leadership development and the fight against transnational organised crime.

The bilateral meeting took place on the sidelines of the Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit in New York City, where IGP Touray met with Deputy Police Commissioner Marie-Claude Dandenault at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations.

During the discussions, IGP Touray thanked the Canadian delegation for the engagement and reaffirmed the Gambia Police Force’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the RCMP in advancing international peace and security.

He also expressed gratitude to the Government of Canada for supporting The Gambia’s pledge to deploy a Formed Police Unit (FPU) to Haiti as part of international efforts to combat gang violence and restore law and order.

According to the Gambia Police Force, the two sides discussed expanding cooperation in police cadet training, strategic leadership and management development, as well as strengthening efforts to combat transnational organised crime.

IGP Touray said officers who benefit from specialised training would be expected to serve as trainers within the Gambia Police Force, helping to build institutional capacity and improve professional policing standards.

Deputy Commissioner Dandenault welcomed the engagement and reaffirmed the RCMP’s willingness to explore future areas of cooperation with the Gambia Police Force, describing the meeting as an opportunity to strengthen ties on issues of mutual interest.

The meeting forms part of the Gambia Police Force’s broader efforts to build international partnerships and enhance its operational and institutional capacity through cooperation with global law enforcement agencies.

By Adama Makasuba