Somalia: ICITAP Supports Delivery of 14 Vehicles to Strengthen Police Fleet

On May 20, fourteen vehicles purchased with funding provided by the Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) were released to the Somali Police Force (SPF) to supplement existing resources provided to ICITAP-mentored units. In the presence of several team commanders and officers, the SPF Transportation Commander accepted the 14 vehicles, a combination of vans, trucks and SUVs, on behalf of the SPF Police Commissioner. The vehicles are expected to significantly improve the response time of the SPF’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, Police Information Unit, Joint Investigative Team, and Airport Police Task Force. The delivery of this new fleet of vehicles also marks the transfer of the provision of fuel and maintenance services from local vendors to the SPF Transportation Command. Over the last month, ICITAP Mentors and HQ staff worked closely with the SPF to develop a set of standard operating procedures designed to encourage sustainability and accountability for the care and maintenance of the expanded fleet. This equipment transfer marks the culmination of several months of work on behalf of ICITAP HQ, the CT Police Liaison, and the CT Advisory Team.