A total of one-hundred and ninety-eight (198) police officers recruited by HirShabelle State Police last November, underwent a colourful passing out parade today, upon completion of a three-month intensive police course.
The police officers are the first batch of 800-new police recruits being absorbed in the state’s police force, to maintain law and order in Somalia’s youngest federal state.
“It’s your responsibility as police officers to ensure that you exercise professionalism, observe fundamental issues of human rights, issues of rule of law and constitutionalism when carrying out your duties as police officers,” Simon Mulongo, the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia, told the new recruits, during the ceremony held in Jowhar, the administrative capital of HirShabelle State.
The passing out parade was attended by high ranking Federal and HirShabelle state officials, among them the Federal Minister of Internal Security, Mohamed Abukar Islow; the Police Commissioner of the Somali Police Force – Gen. Bashir Abdi Mohamed and HirShabelle State Police Commissioner – Col. Hassan Dhicisow.
“On your shoulders is the arduous task of securing HirShabelle. You are mandated to maintain law and order, but do so within the confines of the law,” HirShabelle Vice President Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlaawe urged the new recruits.
The training was conducted by AMISOM Police and funded by the European Union.
“I am confident that you will perform your duties with selfless devotion as the constitution mandates you to do – protect and secure the country,” stated Christine Alalo, the Acting AMISOM Police Commissioner. She expressed gratitude at partners who had supported the vetting, recruitment and training of the police officers.
Somali Police Commissioner, Gen. Bashir Abdi Mohamed, urged the officers to maintain high levels of discipline in their work.
“You are joining a police force with reputable history of dedication, discipline and selfless service to the public. I expect you to be humble yourselves and treat the public with empathy,” he advised.
“It is a historic day for us and we are ready to defend and sacrifice our lives, serving this country,” said Rahma Mohamed Hassan, a new police recruit.
Another police recruit, Hussein Mohamed Abdulle, expressed confidence that the new team of police officers would perform their duties with diligence and keep HirShabelle State secure.
The three-month comprehensive training focused on different aspects of policing, including crime prevention and public order management. The police recruits were also taught International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, which are critical in their day-to-day duties.
