On Tuesday 17th October, 2023, two Experts in Fingerprint from the International Police Organization (Interpol) paid a courtesy visit on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. William Fayia Sellu at his George Street office, in Freetown.
The team lead, Mr. Herve Raffourt, explained that the objective of their visit was to do a needs-assessment of the existing Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIST) in the SLP, with the view to determine gaps within the system and to map out ways to remedy the situation. He said that they needed information regarding the technical expertise of personnel and the available equipment of the Unit.
These pieces of information, he noted, will inform their interventions and the support they could offer to reinforce the system in terms of providing crime scene equipment and training. Adding, that addressing these gaps, would help to improve the existing crime scene and fingerprint facilities in the SLP to solve cases of physical crime.
Mr. Raffourt agreed that there is need to have enough workstations to cover all the districts with additional human resources to combat crime and increase on efficiency.
The team lead revealed that they have developed a soft spot for the SLP and saw the need to render assistance where applicable.
The three-day needs-assessment exercise concluded with the following observations:
That in order to match international standards, the SLP needs more fingerprint experts to add to the current strength, given the fact that the SLP for now does manual crime scene examination.
That the SLP should endeavor to have an automated crime scene system which is considered to be very fast, accurate and reliable, though very expensive.
That the SLP should develop a crime scene management system and fingerprint in line with International best practices.
The SLP to conduct training/ Re-fresher trainings on crime scene management as they will be working with personnel of the Unit by providing short term assistance and advice on human resources.
In respect of the long-term plan, the team advised management to purchase the automatic system and get more experts to teach personnel to attain International standards.
In response, IGP Sellu welcomed the team to Sierra Leone and thanked them for their remarkable feasibility survey
He said that he was touched to learn that two experts were coming to Sierra Leone to look at the SLP’s existing Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIST) and to look at the possibility of what they could offer.
“On the first assessment, we are consoled by the fact that we are still getting support towards the implementation of AFIST despite the fact that we missed the first one,” Mr Sellu noted.
He expressed optimism that we will definitely get there, despite the odds, so that the SLP could not become the weak link that could be exploited by criminals. The IGP was particularly pleased that the SLP is now part of the West Africa Police Information System (WAPIS) and the efforts made in training personnel on data collection management, and several other related courses.
“We have lots of cross border related crimes as criminal gangs operate across the border with challenges to curb some of these cross border crimes” Mr. Sellu stated.
He acknowledged the huge efforts the team is making globally and the sub-region to fight crime, especially on areas of crime scene management, maintaining crime register, fingerprint bureau and how to match them together.
Mr Sellu expressed the hope that the steps taken and the strides made to get us part of WAPIS/ INTERPOL, would be the same strides and courage the SLP would monster to be part of AFIST.
He made an analogy between investigation and prosecution, acknowledging that effective investigations lead to effective prosecution predicated on investigation given that if you do not investigate well, it’s difficult to secure conviction at court, he furthered that some investigations are too scientific as you need to know steps to follow.
“We have challenges and do us a report based on your findings so we can escalate to other level for assistance and those ones that fall within our reach, we can work on them for the betterment of the organisation “, IGP Sellu assured the Experts.
“so I am sure with this system introduced in our country and supported fully, it will become a capacity”, he went on.
IGP Sellu reiterated that,” we have work stations across the country and along the borders but they are not equip to curb criminal activities adding that we are determined to work with colleagues because we have common goal to fight crime.
I want to say we are thankful as you have us in mind that you consider Sierra Leone despite our challenges, IGP Sellu concluded.
