Breaking News:

By Wise Man, Our Chief Western Region Correspondent

In a rather surprising move today, The Gambia Police Force promoted over 540 men and women of the Force, the Freedom Newspaper can reveal. A majority of the police officers promoted were said to be from the Jolla ethnic group. Inspector General of police Ben Jammeh says the promotions were based on merit and longevity of service. The mass promotion of these officers, came in the wake of low staff moral in the Force. Many officers resort to corrupt practices, just to earn a living.

Women police officers account for the highest number of officers  promoted. Those promoted bagged different ranks in the Force. Many viewed the IGP’S move as a positive development, as for a long time, there has not been any promotion of such a magnitude.

On the other hands, others say the IGP was biased in the way he conducted the promotion. Why the Jolla ethnic group dominates such promotions, is a fundamental question for the IGP to answer.

Police Spokesman Sulayman Secka tells our Correspondent Wise Man that another promotion of officers was in the making, ranging from the rank of an Inspector and above. “ These promotions are contained in the Force’s First Order, due to be released by Month end. A good number of  police officers are being lined up to be promoted to an officer's  rank.” Said police spokesman Secka.

The police image maker said the recent mass promotion was a major breakthrough, ever recorded in the history of The Gambia police Force. He says IGP Jammeh was committed to uplifting the working moral of the men and women of The Gambia police Force.

A police corporal attached to the Brikama Police Station remarked “ I have served numerous years in the Force.  We are being discriminated and marginalized because of tribal line. The majority of the Jolla police officers promoted cannot even write a simple statement. We normally tutor them on basic policing job. We the hardworking officers are being denied promotion. I spent nearly 20 years in the Force. Some of my colleagues had diploma in law, but are still denied promotion. The promotions were biased and tribally motivated.” Said the police corporal.