Garowe (KAAB TV) – The Puntland government has deployed 300 newly trained police officers to the regional capital, Garowe, in a major effort to strengthen security, combat rising crime, and reinforce law and order, officials announced on Sunday.
The new officers completed nearly a year-long intensive training program at the Military College in Carmo district, located west of Bosaso.
According to Puntland’s Ministry of Security, the recruits — a mix of university and high school graduates — were selected through a rigorous and competitive recruitment process designed to attract qualified young professionals to the police service.
Security officials said the officers have now been fully integrated into the Puntland Police Force and assigned to various police stations across Garowe.
For the immediate future, the new recruits will remain on continuous active duty with no leave, reflecting the urgency of the government’s security stabilization plans.
As part of the deployment, the Puntland administration has equipped the new force with patrol vehicles, firearms, communication systems, and improved accommodation and office facilities.
These upgrades are part of a broader initiative aimed at reforming and professionalizing the regional police service, which has faced challenges in recent years due to limited resources and rising insecurity in some districts.
Speaking during the official deployment ceremony, Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni emphasized that the move demonstrates his administration’s commitment to building a disciplined, capable, and community-oriented police force across all Puntland cities.
“Our goal is to establish a police service that is both knowledgeable and ethical — one that protects the public, upholds the rule of law, and maintains the stability of Puntland’s towns and villages,” President Deni said.
He also acknowledged that some of the region’s recent security challenges stemmed from indiscipline and misconduct among certain members of the security services, including cases of corruption, alcohol use, and unauthorized involvement in criminal activity.
Regional security sources have indicated that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to play a supportive role in Puntland’s ongoing police restructuring program.
The UAE has reportedly provided financial and logistical assistance, including contributions to officer salaries, training programs, and essential police equipment — part of its broader cooperation with Puntland on security and development matters.
In recent months, Garowe and several other parts of Puntland have experienced sporadic incidents of violence, including armed clashes and criminal activity. In response, the Puntland government has launched a series of operations aimed at disarming unauthorized groups and restoring public confidence in law enforcement.
Earlier this week, Puntland Police Commander Gen. Mumin Abdi Shire issued a stern warning to individuals carrying weapons without official authorization, vowing that violators would face arrest and prosecution.
His statement underscored the government’s renewed determination to restore law and order through firm and lawful measures.
The deployment of the 300 officers marks a significant step in Puntland’s wider security reform agenda, which seeks to ensure that all regions — from coastal areas like Bosaso to inland districts such as Galkayo and Burtinle — benefit from an effective and accountable police presence.