Masingbi, Saturday 31 October 2026 – The newly created Masingbi Police Division has held a one-day training for Community Safety Volunteers (CSVs) and members of Local Policing Partnership Boards (LPPBs) to strengthen community involvement in fighting crime, building peace and improving public safety.
The session took place at the Divisional Headquarters Conference Hall in Masingbi and brought together young people, traditional leaders and other key community stakeholders from across the Division.
Speaking on behalf of the Regional Police Commander for the North-East Region, AIG Mrs Esther Mary Kaintor-Dukuray, the Regional Human Resource Partner, ASP Mariatu Fofanah, praised community members — especially the youth — for their continued cooperation with the police in keeping the area peaceful and secure.
She reminded participants of the need to respect human rights, follow proper procedures for arrest and detention, and avoid substance abuse, particularly Tramadol, Cannabis Sativa and Kush. ASP Fofanah also explained the principles of community policing, warned against mob justice, and urged everyone to report suspected offenders to the police so that investigations can be carried out properly.
The Regional Coordinator of the Community Relations Department, Inspector AbuBakarr Sidikie Mansaray, spoke on effective communication, community engagement, crime prevention and the duties of CSVs.
He described the volunteers as a vital link between the police and the people, stressing that timely information sharing, public cooperation and mutual trust are essential for preventing crime and making communities safer.
Local Unit Commander of the Masingbi Division, Superintendent Rashid Osman Koroma, thanked the training team and AIG Kaintor-Dukuray for the initiative.
He highlighted the important role traditional leaders play in peacebuilding, conflict mediation and dispute resolution, and called for closer collaboration between chiefs, community stakeholders and the police. Superintendent Koroma reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to people-centred policing and lasting partnerships that help maintain law and order.
The training ended with an interactive question-and-answer session, giving participants the chance to share experiences, ask questions and better understand their responsibilities in community safety.
The exercise underlines the Sierra Leone Police’s commitment to partnership-based policing and the understanding that effective crime prevention is a shared duty between the police and the communities they serve.
