THE JOINT POLICE PROGRAMME: POLICING FOR PEACE IN SOMALIA
The Joint Police Programme (JPP) aims to increase the presence of an effective and accountable federal and state level-police capable of delivering basic policing services as a contribution towards improving security and access to justice to civilian populations in accordance with provisions set in the New Policing Model, the Security Pact and the National Security Architecture across Somalia.
The JPP consolidates donor contributions from the European Union, UK AID and the German Federal Foreign Office to efficiently support the development and reform of the police in Somalia and the Ministry of Internal Security (MoIS) provides leadership and cohesion to the JPP. The current and anticipated interventions of the JPP focus on training and equipping, infrastructure support, security sector reform, community-oriented policing and accountable governance all of which are aimed at enhancing the professionalism and the capacity of the emerging Somalia Police Force (SPF) and the Federal Member State (FMS) police according to the implementation of priorities set out in existing police development plans. It is also aligned with strategic and operational discussions within the context of the Sub Working Group on Policing (SWGP).
The JPP is a Somali-owned and led programme, coordinated through the Somali Police Support Office with the support of the JPP Secretariat under the stewardship of the UN Office of Project Services (UNOPS). The JPP is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNOPS, in partnership with the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) and the United Nations Police (UNPOL).
Key Achievements
The JPP has delivered achievements beyond the implementation of set outputs, through its successful governance which encourages collaboration amongst all JPP stakeholders and insulates the works of the programme from political issues. For instance, the JPP has effectively included the participation of all Federal Member States at Executive Board meetings despite having political differences with the FGS and the SPF providing funds to South West State to complete their new recruit training after they had exhausted their fund allocation, are great achievements.
The following are the key activities completed and ongoing under this programme across the six (6) thematic output areas since the JPP’s inception on 11 June 2018 through to October 2019.
1. Procurement of non-lethal support equipment
— 34 police patrol vehicles and 1 ambulance;
— 150 VHF radio handsets to support the existing communication network in Mogadishu;
— Hardware, software and registration kits for the development of state-level payroll systems;
— Catering, training material, bedding, uniforms, furniture and toiletries.
2. Provision of infrastructure support through rehabilitation and construction of police facilities
— Construction of six vehicle checkpoints (VCP) began in October 2019;
— HESCO perimeter wall in Dollow to be completed by the 10th of January 2010;
— Several activities are currently being undertaken to upgrade the Hirshabelle State Police Academy including drilling of a borehole, and procurement of tents;
— Various site assessments have been undertaken and designs developed as part of the process for construction of various police facilities across Somalia.
3. Provision of electronic stipend payments
— A total 12,779 Stipends were paid to police officers in Kismayo, Baidoa, Jowhar and Galkayo.
4. Provision of training, both basic and specialized
— Police officers (20 females and 375 males) graduated from Hirshabelle State Police Academy in February and August 2019;
— 380 police recruits (16 females and 364 males) from Lower Shebelle are currently undertaking training at Gen. Kahiye Police Training Academy in Mogadishu and expected to graduate during the last week of December 2019;
— A total of 16 police trainers (02 female and 14 male) from the Galmudug state police completed a ten-days Training of Trainers (ToT) course on human rights, community-policing and leadership at Aden Abdulle International Airport (AAIA) in Mogadishu between 15th and 25th June 2019;
— 20 Police Station Commanders/Deputies (one female and 19 males) from South Galkacyo (Galmudug State) and North Galkacyo (Puntland State) received an 8-day police station management training;
— Logistical support to the refresher training of 2,725 police officers conducted by AMISOM and UNPOL incorporating international human rights and international humanitarian law training as per the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP).
5. Support to effective civilian oversight and governance of policing
— 90 police officers were trained as part of the action plan for the Galkacyo community-policing forum;
— 20 Youth Volunteers from North and South Galkacyo to participate in practicing community policing principles and organizing peace committee meetings.
6. Institutional coordination addressing police development and reform in Somalia
— Logistical support to 17 meetings under the Somali Police Coordination Framework (SPCF) including Somali Technical working groups, the Sub-working Group on Police (SWGP), and the Police Professional Development Board (PPDB).
Current and Future Needs
Through its unique approach and design, the JPP has proven its ability to enable a collaborative effort and has the potential to further support Somalia to reach the goal of building an accountable, sustainable and affordable police force. To achieve this goal, there is a need for future investment in the following areas:
— Increase police training at various levels including basic and specialised training and the procurement of related non-lethal support;
— Supporting the security sector’s infrastructure;
— Support the Somali police to transition into being able to fund their police services;
— Support the legal framework and policy development for Somali police services.
The Joint Police Programme(JPP) is proudly led by the Federal Government of Somalia and funded by the European Union, UK AID and, the German Federal Foreign Office.
The JPP is supported by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Police(UNPOL) and, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
