22 June 2008 -- The Police component of the African Union- United Nations Mission in Darfur, (UNAMID) conducted its first training programme in Criminal Investigations for the Government of the Sudan (GoS) Police officials in EL-Fasher, North Darfur. The five-day training programme will take the participants through statement taking, crime scene management and procedures, evidence handling, traffic accident investigations and human rights appreciation. Resource persons for the course were drawn from the UNAMID Police training unit.

The training programme was officially opened on June 22, 2007 by the UNAMID Police Commissioner and North Darfur Regional Director of Police and was attended by 20 Police officers including five women police.

In his opening remarks, UNAMID Police Commissioner, Michael Fryer, expressed delight that the training programme finally commenced following three months of discussions and negotiations with the GoS authorities. He stated that the course forms part of capacity building for the local police as outlined in the UNAMID Police mandate.

In addition, he disclosed UNAMID Police plans to upgrade the Police training facilities in El-Fasher and to ensure participation of more GoS Police officers. He also encouraged participants to take an active role in the course and share ideas and their experiences with the trainers. “The Police all over the world is one big family, we are to protect and serve, we do not fight each other but we have a common enemy and that is the criminal and that is the enemy we have to fight together’’ he said.

The Police Commissioner reiterated UNAMID Police’s commitment to assist and achieve the highest standard of Police professionalism with due respect to the customs and traditions of the people of Darfur.

The North Darfur Regional Director of Police, Major-General Ahmed Ata Almanan Osman acknowledged the good relationship between UNAMID Police and the local Police in the North Darfur state and called for more cooperation and assistance to build the capacity of the local police. “We are ready to cooperate with UNAMID Police to achieve the objectives of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), in bringing peace to
Darfur,” he said.