The Gambia Police spokesman has said they are not targeting any group or individual in the country despite training 40 police officers on countering public protest and crowd control.

Recently the Gambia Police Force have stepped up their readiness in dealing with mass protests by purchasing a water cannon and training anti-riot officers.

Speaking to Gambiana in an exclusive interview on Friday Assistant Superintendent of Police and PRO, Lamin Njie, said: “I am telling the people especially the general public that the police have not brought any equipment (be it the water cannon and others) in order to target any group especially to intimidate, harass any group. We are doing our job and we are going to do this job within the confinement of the law.”

He said “it has nothing to do with a targeted group or individual but it got all to do with the process of instilling professionalism in the police.”

Meanwhile, ASP Njie said the police force will endeavor to ensure that public order is maintained and that properties are protected in the country.

He said the training exercise will equip the trained police officers “to take appropriate tactical manoeuvre throughout putting the members of the public under order”, adding that the Gambia Police will move towards handling public order in a very professional manner.

“We want to assure the general public that the Gambia Police Force is in its drive to ensure professionalism we will continue to handle public order with utmost care within the parameters of the law,” he said.

The police spokesman reiterated that the anti-riot training had nothing to do with any group base in the country, adding that “what we are doing is part of a process of ensuring our officers are professionalized by being trained and equipped.”

At least 40 Police officers of the Gambia Police Force had on Friday graduated after a two week intensive training by two French Police officers on responding to public disorder and crowd control.

And the trained officers included both men and women personnel from the Police Intervention Unit.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba