Niël Terblanché
The Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College (IPIPC) has officially been entered into the INTERPOL Global Academy Network.
The historic occasion was proudly announced by the Inspector-General of the Namibian Police Force, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo in Viena Austria at the end of last week
He stated that the significant partnership is set to elevate the capabilities and professionalism of law enforcement in Namibia, aligning the nation with international best practices in policing.
General Shikongo expressed his gratitude to INTERPOL for granting the Namibian Police Force this opportunity and extended his appreciation to the distinguished guests and dignitaries in attendance, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in strengthening global security and upholding the rule of law.
“This partnership has the potential to yield technical breakthroughs, professional innovations, evidence-based training, and best practices for police academies and law enforcement education institutions,” Shikongo said.
Namibia becomes the second INTERPOL member country in Southern Africa, following Botswana, to join the INTERPOL Global Academy Network.
According to General Shikongo, this membership will facilitate joint training development, course offerings for network members and INTERPOL member countries, collaborative applied research projects, and co-organization of events and training recognition.
General Shikongo stressed that Namibia’s decision to join this initiative underscores the nation’s unwavering commitment to upholding the highest policing standards.
“By becoming part of the INTERPOL Global Academy, Namibia seeks to usher in a new era of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation in law enforcement,” he said.
General Shikongo acknowledged the complex and dynamic challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in the 21st century.
He indicated that the INTERPOL Global Academy offers Namibian police officers access to cutting-edge training, opportunities to share best practices, and the chance to build global relationships to tackle evolving and cross-border threats effectively.
General Shikongo added that the collaboration reflects the Namibian Police Force’s dedication to fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
He expressed confidence that the skills and knowledge acquired through this partnership would significantly enhance the ability of Namibian law enforcement to protect the nation and contribute to global security.
General Shikongo called for unity and shared purpose among INTERPOL Global Academy members, committing to strive for excellence, uphold principles of justice, and work tirelessly to create a safer and more secure world for all.
He assured INTERPOL’s leadership that Namibia would fully utilize the benefits arising from the efficient utilization of INTERPOL’s policing and technical capabilities.
This momentous occasion marks a significant step forward in Namibia’s commitment to enhancing law enforcement capabilities and collaboration on a global scale, promoting a safer and more secure world for its citizens and beyond.
The Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College, named after the revered Namibian freedom fighter “Lunganda,” was established in 1998 under Namibian law and provides high-quality training and capacity-building programs tailored to contemporary policing demands.
The INTERPOL Global Academy Network is renowned as a knowledge-sharing hub for law enforcement experts and researchers.
It fosters collaboration between law enforcement agencies and academic institutions, promoting scientific initiatives in policing science and related fields.
