27 February 2008 -- UNAMID’s Formed Police Unit (FPU) from Bangladesh has conducted its first long distance patrol aimed at testing their operational capacity and enhancing the visibility of the UNPolice in the area. The patrol, which covered approximately 200 kms, started from their base in Nyala in South Darfur to El-Fasher, the capital in North Darfur.

UNAMID Police Commissioner Michael Fryer said that the patrol was also an opportunity to assess public response to UNPolice presence in the area.

“We are introducing the FPUs to the people of Darfur as they will soon be deployed outside operational areas and will have regular contact with the communities,” he said.

Commenting on the operations of UNAMID Police in Darfur since January 2008, Commissioner Fryer said ‘’we have a long way to go, but the officers are prepared to do their work and to make a difference.”

The FPUs are police officers who have received specialized training in high risk operations. The Bangladeshi FPU is the only FPU contingent currently in Darfur out of the recommended 19 contingents for UNAMID.