Police Advisory Committees in Somalia
In Somalia, building a positive relationship between citizens and the police is vital to improve security across the country.
After decades of mistrust and tension – and weak formal security infrastructure – communities across Somalia are making strides in establishing trust and cooperation between the state and the people.
This learning paper presents the work of Saferworld-supported Police Advisory Committees (PACs) – voluntary groups set up as part of the ‘Restoring Stable Communities in Somalia’ project from 2016–21, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Across Baidoa, Kismayo and Mogadishu, PACs have been working with the community and police to build trust and improve service provision. PACs are also monitoring the conditions of detention centres and prisons to ensure detainee rights. This paper looks at the groups’ formation, their responsibilities, successes and challenges, and recommendations for supporting their work in the future.
