Tamsir Jasseh Clarifies




Daily Observer
</publishers.html?passed_name=Daily%20Observer&passed_location=Banjul>  (Banjul)
December 14, 2000
Banjul
The deputy inspector general of police, Tamsir Jasseh, who was relieved of his
duties Tuesday evening, has objected to views expressed about him and the Gambia
Police Force by one Karamba Touray in Washington, USA, published in Daily
Observer 's Tuesday, December 12 Viewpoint column.
Mr. Jasseh said the article would undermine his activities in the force.
Talking to our reporter, Chief Manneh, in his office Tuesday afternoon prior to
receiving the letter terminating his services, Mr. Jasseh said, "I think the
view of this writer is unfair because he certainly does not know what is
actually going on within the Gambia Police Force. He does not know what our
problems are or what the causes are. The article gave the impression that I am
the only valuable asset in the entire police force which is absolutely false. I
alone cannot do it all. I don't have all the answers. I have every desire to
reform the police, but I am not the only one desirous of reforming the force.
There are many other officers who can reform the police force into a
professional organisation.
In the first place, there was a police task force set up in 1997 to look into
how best to reform the police. A report was presented by this task force and the
ideas I had of reforming the police were in line with the recommendations made
by the task force. So, ongoing programmes within the police are the results of
the collective efforts of many people.
The laudable aim I have is what other officers in the force have too, that is,
to work together to transform the Gambia Police Force into a professional
organisation that can adequately address policing needs of the general public."
Commenting on Karamba Touray's assertion that "The Inspector General is himself
unsuitable for his job because he has neither the experience nor the foresight
to lead a professional police force," Mr. Jasseh said, "I totally disagree with
that opinion. IGP Sankung Badjie has spent his entire life in the Gambia Police
Force. He is the only IGP who started as a recruit to the post of IGP.
Over the years, he has accumulated tremendous amount of experience from which I
draw (lessons) to implement my programmes. Our relationship is like hand and
glove.
As much as Karamba Touray is entitled to his opinion, I think opinions should be
based on facts. This article is unfair to the government, the Interior
secretary, the IGP, my humble self, and the entire top brass of the police
force. I deeply regret it was published without due consultations."
Mr. Jasseh also observed that there is general "misconception" that there is
high level political interference in the police.
"This is untrue. The police is really free to act accordingly to the
constitution and laws of the country without reference to political
affiliation."
Meanwhile, the government has not made any statement on the termination of
Tamsir Jasseh's services as deputy inspector general of police. No replacement
has yet been named.
Meanwhile, when the Daily Observer contacted Inspector General Sankung Badjie,
he said he did not know the content of DIG Jasseh's termination letter.
Speaking to Daily Observer, Mr. Jasseh said he received his termination notice
by the close of office, Tuesday. He said no reasons were stated in the letter on
why his services with the force were terminated.
Yesterday, Mr. Jasseh surrendered his official vehicle and other property
belonging to the police at the police headquarters, Banjul.

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