IGP William Fayia Sellu
The delivery of the much anticipated Tier III DMR communications system to the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) marks a major milestone in the digital transformation efforts of the police force. This state-of-the-art system, provided by Hytera, a global leader in public safety communications and security solutions through their local partner Lehwefly Limited, is set to revolutionize communication connectivity and strengthen the SLP.
The previous analog radio communications system, used by the SLP, was outdated and no longer meets the needs of a modern police force. The system suffered from numerous issues including unreliability, lack of secure communication, high maintenance costs, poor interoperability, inadequate coverage, and low frequency efficiency. These issues poised significant challenges to the SLP’s ability to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently.
In response to these challenges, the SLP embarked on the Smart Policing Project, with the aim of upgrading their communication system to a more advanced and secure digital platform. The delivery of the DMR system by Hytera and Lehwefly Limited is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
The new DMR system includes an intelligent trunking system and approximately 1,400 industry-leading digital terminals. These terminals include vehicle radios, portable hand radios, and base station radios; providing the SLP with a comprehensive and unified national communications system.
This system will enable the SLP to carry out their daily operations, as well as mission critical enforcement and dispatching with enhanced reliability and efficiency.
One of the key advantages of the new DMR system is its high level of security. Secure communication is of utmost importance to law enforcement agencies, and the DMR system ensures that sensitive information is protected from unauthorized access. This is crucial in a country like Sierra Leone, where maintaining public safety and combating crime are top priorities.
Furthermore, the new system offers improved interoperability that will allow the SLP to collaborate seamlessly with other agencies and organizations involved in law enforcement and public safety. This will facilitate more effective coordination and response during emergencies and major incidents.
In addition to these benefits, the new DMR system also provides intelligence gathering capabilities and the ability to integrate with other systems for database queries and information sharing. This will enable the SLP to gather and analyze data more efficiently, leading to better decision-making and more targeted law enforcement efforts.
