IGP Yankuba Sonko revealed this on Tuesday at a launch of a book authored by police prosecutor, Momodou Doumbuya Mballow. The 21-chapter book entitled Practical Approaches to Magistrates Courts was launched at the police headquarters in Banjul.
Sonko said: “This is the happiest moment of my life. What I realise today is that my dreams are coming true. I want to have a police force that is one in this region and one of the best in the world. From the establishment of the Gambia Police Force as far back as 1855, we have lots of issues and any time people decide to make one thing or the other it all goes down the drain. But this courageous police officer who is very dedicated to his work was adamant that he was going to make it, and surely he has made it. I am much honoured and proud to grace this occasion.
“I have known Mballow since he joined the Gambia Police Force in 1999. He has always been very dedicated, and honest. Whatever he wants to do and wherever he wants to reach he will tell you he’s determined to reach that level. In most of my addresses what I always advise you is that you have to be the best of whatever you are. If you cannot be a tree, be the best rock under that tree. Mballow is getting to be a tree. He has taken a step and I am sure he is going to be a big tree. His publication will remain here and will serve as reference material not only for the present generation but for police officers to come.”
The police IG went on to promote the author from chief inspector to assistant superintendent of police, ASP. For his part, Mr Mballow, who is said to be the first police officer to write a book on judicial matters, said: “When I started as a prosecutor I was taken inside court training. I struggled a lot because there were no materials to rely on. I think it is important [to publish a book] because the problem we have here is management and knowledge sharing. I am happy but I also feel challenged. This is just the beginning.”
Dr Henry Carrol, chairman of the Law Reform Commission and senior law lecturer, University of The Gambia, said: “You [Mballow] are part of my success story because when you see your students excel, it gives you the inner satisfaction and motivation to do more.”
By Alagie Manneh
]]>
