Tanzania's police force is taking steps to add at least 240 more police officers to the country's 60-member tourism police force, Assistant Police Commissioner Benedict Kitalika announced Tuesday (February 19th) in Dar es Salaam.

"Currently we are sourcing funds which will enable us to train at least 240 police officers and inculcate in them skills on how to record a statement which could be used in court even in the absence of a tourist," he said, according to Tanzania's The Citizen.

Kitalika, who commands the unit, estimated that 80 million shillings ($49,000) is necessary for the training, which would include foreign language courses.

Tanzania's tourism industry accounts for an estimated 17.5% of Tanzania's gross domestic product and employs 500,000 direct and 800,000 indirect employees.