𝟏𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬-𝐎𝐮𝐭

Hon. Vice President, let me report that it was a hybrid training for Operational Support and regular duties. The decision to have such training was predicated on the need to build the capacity of the Police, so as to better position us to meet emerging challenges.

The Basic Recruitment Training curriculum is structured in a way that helps to bring out the best in these recruits, with the view to prepare them to meet the demands of policing. The training for these recruits was categorized into general duty policing and operational support policing. For the general duty Policing, the topics covered were Basic Routine Duties, Introduction to Law, Community Policing, Crime and Evidence, Contemporary Issues such as Human Rights and Gender, Road Safety and Management and many other contemporary issues. For operational policing, they covered topics like Public Order Management, Weapon Handling, Field Tactics, Major Event policing, Securing Facilities, etc.

It is to be noted that current and emerging crime trends require the Police to be better trained and equipped to counter and address the challenges associated with securing our communities.

It is for this reason that Management directs the Training Directorate to undertake regular training needs assessments, so as to be able to identify training gaps within the Police and there develop training curricula to address these gaps.

Let me state, that these recruits passing out today have been better trained and prepared to stand the test of time and to also face the demands of policing the state and citizens of Sierra Leone. Like all other human beings, they are not infallible. It is for this reason that we have preemptively put in place the necessary safeguards and internal control mechanisms meant to checkmate and curtail any excesses of our police officers.

I wish to reiterate that we have the Directorate of Professional Standards which handles issues of alleged unprofessional conduct of police officers. At all levels of the SLP, we have the Complaint Discipline and Internal Investigations Department (CDIID) and Integrity Management Committees (IMCs). Both the CDIID and IMCs help us to fight indiscipline, graft and other forms of infractions of the Police (Discipline) Regulations, 2001.

Even as I congratulate you on the successful completion of the Basic Recruitment Training, let me remind you that you have chosen to become members of an institution that is mandated to fight crime and the fear of crime in society; an Institution that has cyber capability to fight local and transnational organized crimes; an Institution that is anchored on the West Africa Police Information System (WAPIS) platform which is linked to other West African law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism, organized crimes, money laundering, and kidnapping; an Institution that cooperates with other statutory bodies to maintain the security of the State; an Institution that contributes to international peace and security; an Institution that makes it possible for businesses to thrive because of the quality of services we provide; and an Institution that practices Local Needs Policing a policing strategy that meets the needs and expectations of the local community but reflects national standards and objectives. All of these have made the SLP a community oriented and people centered organisation which prides itself as a “Force for Good”.

As you opt to join the SLP, we expect you to be prepared to maintain the ideals and culture of the Institution and to exhibit the highest standard of professionalism in the day-to-day discharge of your duties.

I should also let you know that the SLP maintains a zero-tolerance policy on drug intake and abuse for all personnel, irrespective of rank. Let it be known that no one in the SLP is considered a sacred cow, as we are all amenable to law. The policy is straight and simple: if you are caught in drug intake and abuse, you will be dismissed from the Police and then criminally prosecuted. Be informed that we have dismissed several officers for drug intake, abuse and possession. There is therefore no way we can renege on the policy.

Let me also give you the good news. You have been opportune to enlist into an institution that has successfully policed one of the most peaceful elections ever conducted in Sierra Leone, The brilliance and professionalism exemplified by the SLP and other members of the security sector has won the Institution praises and commendations, both nationally and internationally. Of particular mention, among the accolades received are from the All Political Parties Association (APPA, the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), ECOWAS Commission Chairman who extended an invitation to the Sierra Leone Police to share their expertise with their Liberian counterparts.

As you pass-out from here, you will soon be posted to the various regions and police divisions, we therefore expect you to join your colleagues in maintaining law and order, protect lives and property, enforcing laws, apprehending and prosecuting of offenders, and preventing and detecting of crimes. You are to do this with sympathy, courtesy, firmness, understanding, and above all, observing the tenets of the rule of law.

At this juncture, I am pleased to thank His Excellency the President and Government of Sierra Leone, for the continuous support to the SLP. As part of His Excellency’s human capital development and youth employment agenda, we have been able to recruit more than 5,000 (Five Thousand) able-bodied men and women for the past five years. Like Oliver Twist, we always ask for more. To increase the numerical strength of the SLP could only be possible with the tacit support and approval of the Government of Sierra Leone – the direct provider of funds for all Basic Recruitment and career development training at local and international levels.

With funds provided by His Excellency’s government, we have also been able to improve on the use of technology and innovation. Cameras have been installed in specific locations in the city to improve on our crime fighting capability. The SLP has established a drone corridor with the provision of ten drones which have enhanced the capacity of the SLP to have first-hand pictorial evidence on incidents.

The acquisition of three fiber boats to support riverine operations.

I will be remiss in my duty if I fail to thank the Honourable Vice President, who doubles as the Chairman of Police Council, for his constant support to the realisation of the vision of the SLP.

Honourable Vice President Sir, I must admit that you have been a pillar of strength and a source of inspiration to my leadership and the entire SLP. You have waveringly supported every developmental and policy drive of the Institution. we, at Management will continue to count on your support in fulfilling the mandate and core functions of the Institution.

I am also obliged to extend our gratitude to the diplomatic community and development partners who have been supporting the SLP in the area of capacity building and logistics. In addition to local training, we have supported our personnel with at all levels, we have also been getting support for overseas training from the United States Embassy, British High Commission, Chinese Embassy, Indian Embassy, Egyptian Embassy, Nigerian High Commission, and other local organisations. We will continue to count on your support for local and overseas training for our personnel to make the SLP better.

Finally, let me, on behalf of the Executive Management Board, thank the Directorate of Training, and all Instructors and Trainers of the Sierra Leone Peacekeeping and Law Enforcement Academy.

You have done a commendable job, and for which the entire Management owes you a great depth of gratitude. Continue to deliver on your mandate, as we embark on this journey of capacitating our personnel to deliver effective policing services to the people of Sierra Leone”.

The IGP concluded.