President Irro Pledges Investment in Police Training, Equipment and Technology as Force Expands Surveillance Network to Major Cities
The Somaliland Police Force has marked its 33rd anniversary with renewed commitments to modernise policing, strengthen public security and improve officers’ welfare, as President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro pledged increased investment in training, equipment and technology.
Speaking at an anniversary ceremony held at Police Headquarters, President Irro praised the force’s contribution to maintaining peace, stability and public order, describing it as a cornerstone of Somaliland’s security achievements.
“The police are the cornerstone of the success we have achieved in peace and stability,” he said, according to a statement from the Presidency.
The president said strengthening the country’s security institutions remained a major priority for his administration, highlighting the importance of professional training, education, modern equipment and technological development. He also pledged improvements to police transport resources.
Irro urged officers to uphold the Constitution, respect the law and protect citizens’ lives, property and dignity, emphasising that law enforcement must be conducted fairly and without discrimination.
“Citizens deserve justice, protection and respect from us, and if they commit an offence, they must be treated in accordance with the law, regardless of their political views, social standing or background,” he said.
He also paid tribute to police officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty over the force’s 33-year history, recognising successive commanders for their contributions to national security and the development of Somaliland’s state institutions.
“We owe an enduring debt of gratitude to the heroes who wore the uniform to serve their country and their people,” he said.
The president further acknowledged the contributions of religious leaders, business communities, traditional leaders, women and young people, stressing that protecting peace and security required cooperation between the government and society.
Police Report 82 Killings as Surveillance Technology Expands
At the anniversary ceremony, the police operations leadership reported that 82 killings had occurred across Somaliland over the preceding year, involving 88 suspects, of whom 84 had been apprehended.
Meanwhile, Police Commander Brigadier General Abdirahman Abdillahi Hassan, widely known as Abdi Dheere, announced significant progress in expanding the force’s CCTV surveillance network across the country’s major cities.
In Hargeisa, 48 major intersections are now equipped with CCTV surveillance systems, each containing four cameras, bringing the total number of operational cameras in the capital to 192.
The commander also revealed that the police had acquired advanced surveillance cameras capable of monitoring areas within a range of up to 10 kilometres, with 360-degree rotation capabilities. The equipment can be moved and deployed to different locations depending on security requirements.
“We have successfully installed CCTV cameras across all the major cities in the country. In the capital, Hargeisa, we currently have 48 intersections equipped with four cameras each, bringing the total to 192 cameras. In addition, we have high-powered cameras with a 10-kilometre range and 360-degree rotation capabilities, which can be deployed wherever they are needed,” General Abdirahman said.
The expansion represents an important step towards strengthening technology-driven policing, improving the monitoring of public spaces and supporting crime prevention and investigations.
Police Hospital Set for Modernisation
In a separate announcement, the Police Commander disclosed that the force had completed the essential requirements for its hospital, while plans were underway to transform the facility into a modern medical institution.
He said the long-term ambition was to establish a fully equipped Police Hospital capable of delivering a comprehensive range of healthcare services, supported by modern medical technology and facilities meeting international hospital standards.
“We have completed all the basic requirements needed for the Police Hospital. Our plan is to continue developing it until it becomes a fully equipped medical facility capable of providing all the healthcare services people need,” he said.
The planned development is expected to strengthen healthcare provision for police personnel and expand the institution’s capacity to deliver essential medical services.
A New Phase of Institutional Development
The 33rd anniversary celebrations come as the Somaliland Police Force pursues a broader programme of institutional development, combining investment in human resources, modern surveillance technology, improved mobility and healthcare infrastructure.
President Irro’s commitments, alongside the police leadership’s announcements, underscore the government’s stated ambition to build a more professional, technologically equipped and accountable security institution capable of responding to the country’s evolving security needs.
As Somaliland marks more than three decades of policing, the emphasis is increasingly on combining effective law enforcement with respect for citizens’ rights, professional standards and modern public-security systems.