[{"bbox": [96, 178, 1135, 472], "category": "Text", "text": "DCAF's component of the ongoing SSR programme under the EDF has started producing tangible results in the field of effectiveness and accountability of the GPF and there is a need for further support and pressure for long term and sustainable reform. Half-way through its implementation (as of April 2022), this programme component has resulted in substantive achievements, namely including the development of the police doctrine, the first ever document of this kind for GPF, whose vision, mission statements and overarching principles are expected to guide the police in all aspects of its operations and decisions. The programme has also led to the elaboration of guidance documents and policies to reinforce GPF's effectiveness, which pertain to crisis management response, performance management framework, human resources management and leadership. Progress was also achieved in strengthening oversight and accountability of security institutions, with the creation of a collaborative policing oversight working group through which State and non-State oversight actors have started ensuring a more coordinated, coherent and hence more effective framework to hold security sector providers to account."}, {"bbox": [96, 496, 1135, 631], "category": "Text", "text": "The new Action will provide continued support to the police, with the overarching objective to ensure effective implementation of the principles of the Police Doctrine. The underlying rationale is that if the police's operation and management are consistently and effectively guided by the policing doctrine principles, GPF will become a professional and accountable public institution, respecting human rights, the rule of law, thereby improving the public's confidence in State security."}, {"bbox": [96, 655, 1135, 1108], "category": "Text", "text": "In line with the principles enshrined in the doctrine, the Action will aim at further strengthening the effectiveness of the GPF, including compliance with professional standards and efficient use of resources by way of, among others, supporting effective coordination of internal security forces. In this regard, a key area that the Action will seek to address is transnational criminal activities and the ability (or lack thereto) of law enforcement agencies to prevent and provide effective response to these crimes. The lack of coordination and cooperation among security institutions in sharing information and analysis prevent efficient and effective investigations into serious international crime, including those committed by organised crime groups. The unlawful laundering of the proceeds of transnational criminality influences economic distortion and constitutes a loss of State revenue. Likewise, given its geographical position, The Gambia faces an increment in transnational criminal activity but has limited capacities to counter the transnational threats posed by organised crime. Organised crime groups engaged in migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings and drug trafficking constantly evolve their modus operandi. Furthermore, the freedom of movement among ECOWAS members constitutes an opportunity for transnational criminal organisations to facilitate their movement without being easily detected. Likewise, the porous borders and lack of proper demarcation cause significant delays in attending incidents, such as population movements due to violent confrontations and illegal exploitation and trafficking of natural resources, such as timber, charcoal, or wildlife. Through a holistic approach in supporting both GPF and GID, the Action will seek to provide relevant tools, skills and frameworks for an effective and coordinated response to transnational crime."}, {"bbox": [96, 1132, 1135, 1321], "category": "Text", "text": "In the relation to accountability, surveys reveal a relatively low trust of the communities in the effectiveness and availability of complaint mechanisms in cases of human rights violations committed by security personnel. Knowing that the Action would be implemented in parallel with implementation (or lack thereto) of the TRRC recommendations, it is essential that specific support focus on further strengthening oversight mechanisms of the security sector, in furtherance to the 2021-2023 EDF programme. The new Action will build on results achieved under the current DCAF programme to further strengthen the effectiveness of internal and external complaint mechanisms, while providing complementary support to improve the image of the police within the communities."}, {"bbox": [96, 1345, 1135, 1612], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action is complementary to the Common Operational Partnership (COP) project funded under the Internal Security Fund - Police. It will address capacity building to counter transnational organised crime, particularly migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings. At present, there is no legislative act on counter-smuggling in The Gambia but only a Trafficking in Persons Act, the delay in adoption of which represents a drawback for increasing the capacities of law enforcement in fighting migrant smuggling through the COP project. By promoting the legislation to counter migrant smuggling, the project will target smugglers and organised crime groups/ criminal networks and at the same time protect migrants. Once the legislation will be enacted, the project will ensure its correct implementation, as immigration officers will require training to detect and investigate these crimes according to international law, transnational criminal law, human rights, and a gender-based approach. The DCAF project will also improve coordination among law enforcement agencies to prevent and fight against crimes"}, {"bbox": [1130, 1655, 1145, 1677], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "6"}]