Benedic Jammeh, the new Inspector-General of The Gambia Police Force has spoken of his commitment to maintain law and order in the country and to improve the standards of The Gambia Police Force.

In his maiden press interview 24 hours after his appointment. IGP Jammeh said “I am set to work closely with all the police officers and establish trust with the community as well as to maintain law and order in the country. I will also try by all means to improve and transform the standards of the police officers from where they are today to higher heights.”

Asked on how he felt when he was appointed, IGP Jammeh described the appointment as a big surprise to him as he was not expecting such. “When I was called, I thought that they wanted to promote me. But fortunately, when I went, I received my appointment letter,” he said.

He quickly advised journalists in the country to be professional and authenticate their reports before publication. “If you get a report from a source, find out the facts clearly and authenticate it before publishing. Journalists should make it a point of duty to always find whether their source correspond to the actual facts. This is responsible journalism. If it is a matter that needs to be confirmed or clarified by the police, contact the PRO and he will confirm it.” he advised.

Who is IGP Jammeh

IGP Benedic Jammeh, was born in 1957 at Kanilai village, in Foni Kansala District. He attended St Anthony’s Primary School and St Martins Primary School at Kaimo.
He later went to St Edwards Junior Secondary School and upon completion, he proceeded to St Augustine High School, from 1973 to 1976 where he obtained 5 O’Level credits. IGP Jammeh was first enlisted at The Gambia Field Force in 1980 where he did both the Police and Field Force training. Then from 1982 to 1983, he served as a teacher at St George’s School in Basse. From 1983 to 1985, he acquired the Primary Teachers Certificate at The Gambia College and from 1988 to 1990 received the Higher Teachers Certificate at the same institution. From 1990 to 2000, he was a teacher at The Gambia Senior Secondary School.

IGP Jammeh later attended the St Mary’s University Extension Programme from 1995 to 1998, being among the first graduates of the University of The Gambia with a major in History and minor in International Development Studies.

From September 2000 to June 2001, he did his Diploma in Management Studies at the Management Development Institute (MDI). He later travelled to the United Kingdom, where he did his LLB honour at the University of London and completed in June 2006. On the 14th February 2007, he returned to The Gambia to resume work.

Until his new appointment, IGP Jammeh was at the Prosecution Unit of the Gambia Police Force as the second in command.