Police suspends all unofficial check points
By Sulayman Waan
The Gambia Police Forces (GPF) has announced the suspension of all unofficial checkpoints across the country.
It could be recalled that recently the leadership of The Gambia Transport Union (GTU) demanded that Government reduce the number of checkpoints in the country, saying it affects free movement of commercial vehicles.
However, in a statement released on Monday, the police said:”The Office of the Inspector General of Police has today notified all Regional Police Commissioners that all unofficial checkpoints should be suspended with immediate effect.”
It added: “The decision to suspend all unofficial checkpoints is to facilitate easy movement of commuters and address other inconveniences that it has come with.”
“This is a policy decision that is at the heart of the newly adopted policy doctrine of The Gambia Police force.”
For clarification that purposes, there exist official and unofficial checkpoints. While the official ones are state-authorized checkpoints, the unofficial ones are temporarily stationed at accident-prone locations to address urgent security needs and other traffic-related offences, it said.
Meanwhile, the police said contrary to the memo shared on social media, the cardinal points that distinguish official and unofficial checkpoints are not adequately outlined.
“Expectedly, this attracts public reactions, stating the recent spate of crime in the country. As an urgent substitute to proactively subsidize crimes, police operations departments are embarking on patrols around earmarked crime zones and sensitization tours across the country.”
The Office of the IGP assured the public that it is highly concerned about the security of the country, adding that alternative security measure is in the interest of the public.
“The public is therefore urged to exercise calm and restraint during this process of reformation and rebranding of the police force,” concluded the release.
SW/COB/20/09/22
