51³Ô¹Ï

Welcome to the 51³Ô¹Ï
Language:
  1. Home
  2. Building Community Trust and Improving Security: Guinea-Bissau¡¯s Gabu Model Police Station Transforms Community Relations with Police

Improving Community Trust and Security: Guinea-Bissau¡¯s Gabu Model Police Station Transforms Community Relations with Police

In Gab¨², Guinea-Bissau, a quiet transformation is unfolding. A recent survey found that 81% of community members now believe the police handle issues ¡°well¡± or ¡°very well¡± ¨C a striking improvement in a country where trust in law enforcement has historically been almost nonexistent. This shift is thanks to the efforts of the Gab¨² Model Police Station, a pioneering initiative funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and implemented by UNDP, UNODC, and IOM in collaboration with the Government of Guinea-Bissau.

Superintendent Bacari Indjai, head of the town¡¯s Model Police Station, is leading a team of officers in a groundbreaking approach to law enforcement: one centered on trust, dialogue, and the people they serve.

"The presence of the model police station has brought a sense of security and peace to our neighborhood,¡± said a 45-year-old female resident of Gab¨². ¡°The officers are approachable and genuinely care about solving our issues. This has made us feel heard and supported, which was not always the case before.¡±

Police force of the Model Police Station, at a ceremony on the day of the inauguration in Gabu

The project titled ¡°Strengthening the justice and security sector response to drug trafficking and transnational organized crime to reduce insecurity in Guinea-Bissau,¡± is funded by the PBF with a budget of $4.3 million over five years and two phases.

Listening and Responding to Community Concerns: Designed to strengthen justice and security in a country long challenged by political instability, the project has turned the Gab¨² Model Police Station into a hub for community-centered policing. Implemented under Guinea-Bissau¡¯s National Strategy on Community Policing, the station now integrates community outreach, gender-sensitive practices, and disability-friendly infrastructure.

Key features of the initiative include community engagement sessions that provide residents with a platform to voice their concerns as well as specialized training for officers on human rights and gender-responsive policing, fostering a more inclusive and equitable approach to law enforcement. Separate prison cells have been established for women and men.?

?

BACARI INDJAI, Chief of Model Police Station

The station¡¯s approach is simple but revolutionary in its context: listen to the community and act on their concerns. During community engagement sessions, residents have raised issues ranging from domestic violence to cattle rustling, and the police have responded. Officers now receive specialized training in handling domestic violence cases, ensuring responses are both swift and sensitive. Mechanisms to report and resolve cattle theft have also been established, providing relief to local farmers. As a result, the station has become a much more trusted ally in addressing the community's needs.

In January 2023, the station officially adopted the Proximity Police Model (PPM), training 35 police officers and 15 members of civil society organizations (CSOs). By September 2024, a refresher program had expanded training to 70 additional officers and CSO members, focusing on human rights, gender-based violence, and promoting peace.

One community member said, ¡°communities can become safer, and crime can be reduced through continuous observation and cooperation by the police and local population. However, this is only achievable if the police have the necessary resources¡ªsuch as proper equipment, tools, training, and most importantly, financial backing and support from the government.¡±

Police force of the Model Police Station, at a ceremony on the day of the inauguration in Gabu

Another member mentioned that ¡°community policing is a good model, and its replication can be very beneficial for other regions also. But police stations need to be well equipped, yet are often short in resources and lack training in general, especially when it comes to complaint handling and patience while dealing with different cases.¡±

Women at the Forefront of Change: At the heart of this transformation is the Station¡¯s Deputy Superintendent Olivia Sucama, a vocal advocate for gender integration in policing. Alongside her team ¨C 43 percent of whom are women ¨C Sucama is breaking barriers and stereotypes in a country where female officers were once a rarity.

¡°Being part of the Public Order Police has allowed me to directly contribute to the safety of my community,¡± she said. ¡°Working in the Gabu model police station, I¡¯ve witnessed how our efforts in proximity policing have helped reduce crime and strengthen trust between the police and the population. It¡¯s rewarding to see the positive changes in people¡¯s perceptions and know that our work makes a difference every day.¡±

This shift has encouraged more women and girls to report crimes, knowing they will be heard and supported. The station¡¯s inclusive environment is also disability-accessible, reflecting the UN¡¯s commitment to leaving no one behind.

¡°Gender responsiveness should be integrated into police work, which is more achievable by recruiting more women officers. Women police personnel are often better suited to address the needs of women and girls, as they tend to be more gender-sensitive than their male counterparts,¡± said a female resident.

The results speak volumes. A 2024 UNDP spot-check perception survey [insert weblink] of 58 community members in Gab¨² found that:

  • 81% of respondents felt the police handle community issues "well" or "very well."
  • Community engagement sessions and events, such as Peace Day celebrations, were valued by 78% of participants.

This marks a dramatic turnaround from a 2021 UN country-wide survey, [insert weblink] which revealed almost nonexistent trust in law and security institutions nationwide.

In the town of Gab¨², where fragile governance and weak law enforcement have long undermined public safety, a modest police station is proving that transformation is possible. Superintendent Bacari Indjai and his team have not only redefined the role of law enforcement but also charted a potential path for reform across the country. The Model Police Station initiative, supported by the PBF, is also being implemented in two other locations¡ªBissau and Buba¡ªwith the government expressing a strong interest in replicating it nationwide. The UN team is working closely with stakeholders and international partners to establish a framework for sustainability, focusing on community-centered practices that place Guinea-Bissau¡¯s citizens at the core.

Fighting Organized Crime: The initiative has also been helping address drug trafficking and organized crime, key challenges for Guinea Bissau. With technical assistance led by UNDP and UNODC, the project has helped draft the National Anti-Drug Trafficking Integrated Strategic Plan, the National Strategy to Prevent Human Trafficking, and the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. These strategies represent a shift toward greater transparency, accountability, and institutional effectiveness.

The PBF project hasn¡¯t stopped at policy development. Over the past year, it has trained 398 national security and judicial officers. Investments in infrastructure have also been pivotal: four border posts have been rehabilitated, and a new Judicial Police outpost has been constructed in Bafata. Meanwhile, advanced training and equipment have strengthened the Judicial Police and the Joint Airport Interdiction Task Force (JAITF), enhancing their ability to detect and intercept drugs and other illicit goods.

Senghor Oliveira C¨¢, Head of the JAITF, credits these investments with transforming operational capabilities. ¡°The contribution received from the PBF project at key transit points have significantly improved our operational capabilities. With better tools, performance and coordination of our officers, we are now intercepting threats more effectively and safeguarding our borders against cross-border crime,¡± he said.

A Landmark Victory Against Drug Trafficking: On September 7, 2024, Guinea-Bissau¡¯s Judiciary Police marked a milestone in the fight against drug trafficking. Acting on intelligence and leveraging international partnerships with Portugal, Brazil, Cabo Verde, and Senegal, officers seized 2.6 tons of cocaine at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport¡ªthe largest haul in the country¡¯s history. Five individuals, including nationals from Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil, were arrested. This was not an isolated success. Since January 2024, more than 14 significant seizures have resulted in the confiscation of 2.7 tons of cocaine, underscoring the sustained effectiveness of the PBF-supported initiatives. These operations not only highlight the growing strength of Guinea-Bissau¡¯s police forces but also reinforce the country¡¯s role in regional and global efforts to disrupt illicit drug networks.

The Road Ahead: The Gab¨² Model Police Station is proof that change is possible when communities and institutions work together. However, long-term success depends on sustained national ownership, resources, and continuous community engagement.