Mogadishu — The Police component of the African Union Mission in Somalia on Saturday presented office supplies and furniture to the Somali Police Force in a ceremony held at the Mogadishu International Airport Police station.

AMISOM Police Commissioner Dr. Charles Makono officially handed over the gear to Somali Police Commissioner, General Sharif Shekhuna Maye and Deputy Interior Minister and National Security, Mr Hassan Ibrahim Mohamed.

It included enough logistical equipment for 10 Police Stations as well as support for a Biometric Database system which will help the Somali Police Force implement an efficient personnel and financial management system.

The donation, which was funded by the German organisation, Duetch Gesellschaft Fur International Zusmmenarbeit (GIZ) and the Italian Government, is part of AMISOM's continuing efforts to professionalize the Somali Police Force, said Dr Makono."AMISOM is committed to supporting our brothers in the Somali Police Force as they work to secure public safety and entrench the rule of law", he added.

The AMISOM Police component, with the assistance of international partners and on the basis of a comprehensive training needs assessment, has developed a training package for the Somali Police Force.

It includes courses for newly‐promoted police lieutenants, in order to prepare them for duties as station commanders in the liberated areas of Somalia, as well as training in areas such as gender‐based violence, human rights and protection in conflict and post‐conflict environments, community policing, traffic management and basic criminal investigation techniques.

A Joint Police Operations and Coordination Centre, also funded by GIZ and the Italian Government, has been established to provide Somali Police officers with the necessary skills and equipment to enable them better serve the Somali people.