DARU, KAILAHUN, 10th October 2026 – A female police officer attached to the Daru Police Station in Kailahun District has tendered her resignation from the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) after 23 years of service without a single promotion.
In a resignation letter dated 8th October 2026 and addressed to Human Resources at Police Headquarters on George Street in Freetown, Police Constable 9273 Lucinda N. Dick, PIN Code 22010, said she enlisted into the force on 13th December 2003 and remains a constable to date.
“My reasons for resignation are as follows, lack of promotion since I was enlisted in to the Sierra Leone Police force on the 13th December 2003. I am now 23 years in service and am still constable, provocation from my colleagues and other pressing family issues,” she wrote.
She requested that her resignation take effect from 15th October 2026 with 30 days notice as required by regulation, and asked that all her entitlements and discharge documents be processed accordingly.
The letter, which has since gone viral on social media, was copied to the AIG East, OSD Coordinator East, LUC Daru Division, Support Officer Daru Division and OC/OSD Daru Division.
Constable Dick, however, expressed gratitude to the force: “I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve the nation through the Police force. I have learned discipline, professionalism and public service during my time in service.”
A Wider Morale Crisis?
While this is an individual case, the letter has reignited public debate about welfare, promotions and career progression within the Sierra Leone Police.
The SLP is one of the largest employers in the security sector with over 14,000 personnel. For years, rank-and-file officers have complained about promotion stagnation, poor accommodation, low salaries and lack of timely benefits.
Under the current structure, promotion from Constable to Corporal and Sergeant is supposed to be based on years of service, performance appraisal, exams and available vacancies. However, many officers allege that the process is slow, inconsistent and sometimes influenced by favouritism.
In 2023 and 2024, the Police Council approved mass promotions to address backlog, but many long-serving constables, particularly those posted in provincial divisions like Daru, Kenema and Kailahun, say they were overlooked.
Police Headquarters is yet to issue an official statement on Constable Dick’s resignation. It is not clear whether her request has been approved.
If approved, she will be entitled to terminal benefits as per SLP regulations for officers who voluntarily resign after long service.
The case has drawn sympathy from many Sierra Leoneans online, with some calling on the Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, to review the promotion system to boost morale and retain experienced personnel.
