The Somaliland Police Force, now 27, has managed to ensure that law and order is upheld by collaboration with other security agencies and civilians since its humble start in 1998.
Established in 1993 by the Somali National Movement (SNM) two years after the withdrawal from the 1960 union with Somalia and the claim of self-rule, the force commemorated its 27th anniversary at functions in the 14 administrative regions of the country with a national event in the capital Hargeisa, where the head of state was chief guest. At the national event, President Muse Bihi congratulated on his behalf that if the service on its anniversary celebration had been proclaimed by his administration and people, the prevailing peace and stability in Somaliland was attributable to the diligence of the police officers he awarded. The force that falls under the Interior is charged with law enforcement duties in the Republic of Somaliland and has its headquarters in the capital Hargeisa, from where a commissioner appointed by the president oversees the implementation of law and order nationally through 14 regional commands. In addition to traditional and state officials, the 27-year-old law enforcement agency works closely with the Criminal Investigation Department ( CID) and the military. Since its modest beginnings in 1993, the more than 50,000 Somaliland police forces have now expanded their capacity to deter terrorist attacks, investigation of crime, security of public safety and infrastructure, court arraignments and control of traffic, among others. The Somaliland police force is composed of the Rapid Response Unit-RRU, a crack anti-terrorism elite unit, the Special Protection Unit-SPU, which has been trained by the British and charged with protecting local and foreign dignitaries, in addition to routine duties. The 27th anniversary of the establishment of the Police Force of the Republic of Somaliland was commemorated at the headquarters of the Police Force, with the participation of the President of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General, the commanders of the various forces in the region, and members of the Council. Ministers, members of the leadership of the KULMIYE party, some of the heads of various security bodies, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan (Ahmed Dheere) hero-pilot, and many other dignitaries. Brigadier General Mohamed Aden Saqadhi (Dabagale), commander of the Somaliland Police Force, revealed the substantial progress made by the Police Force in the areas of preparation, transportation and access to other vital resources for their community work, emphasizing that this was done through the implementation of a specific plan and purpose. Mr. Mohamed Kahin Ahmed, the Minister of the Interior, congratulated the Police Force of the Republic on its anniversary and described in detail the role of the police in the security of the country and in the security of life and property. “To conclude the ceremony, the President of the Republic of Somaliland, HE Muse Bihi Abdi, welcomed the Police Force and said that the entire nation is aware of the hard work that often results in loss of life,” Congratulations to all ranks of police officers and their families in commemoration of 27 years of dedicated service, “adding that the nation supports them. President Bihi presented gold medals and promoted numerous police officers, who also inspected the logistic capability and some facilities of the force during their tenure service, who displayed diligence.
