History
The first police force in The Gambia was the Gambia River Police, formed in 1855. Before this, security in the small colonial enclaves was provided by British troops and a small local militia, drawn from traders, freed slaves, and other settlers. The River Police's role was to control smuggling, enforce taxation, and prevent insurgencies. The local militia aided 10 men and was further reinforced in 1866 by the establishment of the paramilitary Gambia Constabulary. Initially formed with 40 constables, this was increased to 100 in 1870. At this point, all imperial troops were withdrawn from the colony, and policing was left to the Constabulary and local militia. [1] [2]
A Frontier Police force was founded in 1895. The establishment of the West African Frontier Force in 1900 led to the creation of the Gambia Company in 1901, which also contributed to maintaining the colony's security. In the Protectorate, security was the responsibility of the district chief. In 1909, the British issued an ordinance granting the chiefs the power to appoint 'badge messengers', who were authorised to maintain law and order and had the same authority as the colony's police. Francis has noted how "Although Gambians staffed the lower level of the force, to the local population, the police and security services, limited as they were, represented an essentially foreign presence." [1] [2]
At independence in 1965, the Constabulary and Frontier Police merged to create The Gambia Police Force. Following the disbandment of the Gambia Regiment in 1958, the police assumed all defence responsibilities. A 200-man paramilitary force, the Gambia Field Force, which was part of the police after 1958, maintained responsibility for internal security. [1]
