Windhoek: The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) has officially launched its Criminal Intelligence Analytical Unit, developed in collaboration with the ENACT Project. This initiative aims to bolster crime analysis capabilities within the country.

According to Namibia Press Agency, ENACT, which stands for Enhancing Africa's Response to Transnational Organised Crime, is funded by the European Union (EU). The launch event took place on Tuesday, where NamPol Deputy Inspector-General for Administration, Anne-Marie Nainda, highlighted the unit's objective of improving crime pattern analysis, trend prediction, and the creation of targeted interventions to tackle crime effectively.

Nainda emphasized that efficient crime analysis will enable officers to comprehend criminal behaviors better, leading to improved investigations and higher chances of timely case resolutions. Moreover, the unit is expected to provide strategic insights for planning and policy-making, aiding the police force in formulating long-term policing strategies.

She also acknowledged the contributions of the officers who completed the training and stressed the importance of ongoing collaboration with international bodies like the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) and other stakeholders. Nainda appreciated the support from the Interpol Project ENACT team, whose expertise has been pivotal in equipping officers with essential skills in data analysis, intelligence gathering, and crime-trend forecasting.

Ian Dupont, the EU deputy head, also spoke at the event, stating that the crime unit will assist national police forces in adopting proactive measures against organized crime. He noted that organized crime impacts every African sub-region and society level, including Namibia. The establishment of national analytic units is anticipated to improve investigations and facilitate information exchange through criminal intelligence analysis.