By Mustapha Fofanah [Jeff]
Since his appointment to highest realm of authority as Inspector General of Sierra Leone Police , Mr William Fayia Sellu has brought a lot of réforms to the institution of law enforcement. Under his leadership, the police personnel make unmettered successes in tackling crime related issues. The trust and confidence lost over the decades from the public is gradually and systemically being restored . Quintessentially,the leadership of Mr. Sellu has yielded tremedous changes ,the establishment of new police divisions and stations accross the nation, making the law enforcement agency more robustful. His indelible leadership style has earned international recognitions from various international institutions and partners.
The UNDP ,country representative to Sierra Leone– Mr. Frederick Ampiah eulogised the IGP for tremendous security benchmarks achieved since his ascendency into the seat of authority by describing the chief executive law enforcer as a rôle model and a force to reckon with.As a result of his hard work the UNDP representative stressed the need to improve on the achievements made by the Police chief and assure of UNDP’s supports to ensure that the process of transforming the Sierra Leone Police from a force to a service is actualised and Practicalised . Mr. Ampiah emphasized the need for capacity building of personnel to deliver effective policing services .
The transformation would be of great help to winning public’s trust and confidence; given that the latter is skewed towards People-centred policing. Subsequent engagements identified possible areas of intervention to actualize the process and eventual transformation. These, amongst others, include: Development and endorsement of the road map for the transition from a force to a service; review of the Police Act 1964 and other relevant laws; development of SLP service strategic plan 2025-2029; digitalising the police registry to enhance efficiency of records and staff management; adoption and implementation of systems for achieving thirty percent women in the management and cadres in line with the GEWE Act 2022; establish e-case management system and train relevant personnel; review of curriculum and training; local needs policing scheme; strategic communication; and capacity strengthening for oversight institutions.The leadership of Sierra Leone Police and Ministry of Internal Affairs visitation to Ghana was a benchmark mission so that the SLP can learn from the experience of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) on their transition from Force to Service. Whilst In Ghana, the Sierra Leone delegation visited the UNDP Ghana Office, Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Ministry for the Interior, and the Ghana Police Service Headquarters.. The briefing sessions were centred on: reform of the relevant legal/statutory instruments, police accountability, rule of law and respect for human rights, community policing, police operations, digital records management, case management system, and funding and welfare of personnel.According to the UNDP representative, the process will be fully supported to enhance the implementation of activities in the identified intervention areas, which are categorised as short term, medium term, and long term.
This process will also look at reviewing the Police Act, which is ongoing; engaging personnel with the view to conscientise and orientate them; working with relevant MDAs; seeking cabinet approval for the transformation, and possible parliamentary ratification of the reformation and relevant legal instruments.
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