Supporting the police in Côte d’Ivoire

Project description

Title: Programme to Build and Strengthen the Police Structures in Selected Partner Countries in Africa; Country Component Côte d’Ivoire
Commissioned by: German Federal Foreign Office
Country: Côte d‘Ivoire
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Security and Civil Protection
Overall term: 2019 to 2022

Context

Since 2009, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been promoting police reform processes in Africa on behalf of the German Federal Foreign Office. The programme is currently implementing a total of eleven country and regional measures. All selected partner countries and regions show characteristics of fragile statehood to varying degrees.

The law enforcement authorities in Côte d’Ivoire do not yet have sufficient capacities to ensure comprehensive, legally compliant and citizen-oriented public order. Particularly outside of the capital city, police units still do not have all the necessary human, material and organisational capacities. Forensics has yet to be sufficiently incorporated into the criminal justice system. There is a need of support for internal processes, such as Human Resource management.

Objective

The Ivorian police are in a better position to implement their reform plans. The police contribute to regional and national stability by acting professionally and following the rule of law.

Approach

The project advises the Ivorian police on their internal organisation in an effort to increase efficiency and standardise processes. To ensure that criminal offences can be pursued objectively based on rule-of-law principles, the use of forensic services is also to be increased. For example, mobile forensic teams have been set up outside the capital city to examine crime scenes and thus ensure professional presentation of evidence in police investigations and in court. The project is also currently setting up a regional forensics platform in West Africa to improve police cooperation and coordination between the individual countries.

Improved internal control measures, accountability and complaints mechanisms and the professionalisation of organisational advice will enable the police to work increasingly in line with the rule of law and will enhance their legitimacy. The programme promotes improved service provision and cooperation throughout the criminal justice chain, for example by strengthening crime-solving technology and forensics. This enables the rule of law to be applied in criminal proceedings from the investigation right through to conviction. The improvements in investigation and prosecution contribute to more effective protection of citizens.
 

Results

The forensics laboratory in Abidjan, which has been receiving support since 2008, received an ISO accreditation in November 2020, making it the only accredited police laboratory in the region. 

The regional West African Forensics Network (WAFNET) supports the networking of forensics experts in West Africa. In the medium term, the aim is to harmonise forensics training and investigation standards and promote cooperation and exchange between the region’s police authorities.

Latest update: November 2020