Freetown, Sierra Leone – December 18, 2024 – The Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police, Mr. William Fayia Sellu, alongside staff from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched a dual-purpose initiative aimed at transitioning the police from a ‘Police Force’ to a ‘Police Service.’ This awareness-raising campaign was held for various police personnel and key community stakeholders in the Freetown-East region.
In his keynote address to the assembled officers, Mr. Sellu highlighted that the transition process is already underway at the top management level. He noted significant developments, including the ongoing review of the Police Act of 1964, as well as the Law Reform Commission’s efforts to establish a legally sound framework for the transition. Additionally, a Strategic Development Plan for 2025-2029 has been established, and the Discipline Regulations of 2001 are being revised to eliminate ambiguities.
The IGP urged police personnel to adopt a servant mindset in alignment with the new service-oriented approach, assuring them that the core functions and primary responsibilities of the police will remain intact. “Let us prepare ourselves to embrace this change and to serve our people through a more community-focused policing strategy,” Mr. Sellu emphasized.
During a town hall meeting at the John James Complex, the IGP was escorted by a lively procession of bike riders. He elaborated on the transition to key community stakeholders, seeking their cooperation in enhancing security. He discussed the Smart City project, which includes the installation of strategically placed CCTV cameras equipped with facial recognition software across the city, including at the Mile 38 checkpoint.
“Successful security and crime prevention cannot be achieved in isolation; we must work together,” Mr. Sellu stated, reinforcing the importance of partnership in this new policing paradigm.
Mr. Sellu also shared insights from his recent visit to Ghana, where he studied the Ghanaian policing model that began its transition in 2002. Over meetings with key institutions, including the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Internal Affairs, and the Ghanaian Inspector General of Police, he gathered valuable information on collaborative approaches to law and order maintenance.
UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Fredrick Ampiah, who participated in the Ghanaian transition process, expressed strong support for the Sierra Leone Police’s reform efforts. He emphasized that professionalism is crucial, as the police reflect the level of civilization within a country. Mr. Ampiah, who was part of the Ghanaian service reform committee, reiterated the UNDP’s commitment to aiding the IGP in this transformative journey.
Following similar engagements at Calaba Town Police Station and Waterloo Divisional Headquarters, the IGP addressed various concerns regarding police welfare, traffic management, the Operational Support Division, and community-police relations in the new service model.
The event concluded with community stakeholders recognizing both Mr. Sellu and Mr. Ampiah for their commitment to transforming policing in Sierra Leone. Certificates of appreciation were awarded as a gesture of gratitude for their initiative to prepare both police personnel and community stakeholders for the upcoming changes.
Nationwide sensitization activities are set to commence in January 2025, marking the next phase of this transformative initiative aimed at fostering collaboration and enhancing community safety.
SLP Media Team
