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The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) observed the United Nations International Day of Police Cooperation on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Sierra Leone Bank Complex in Kingtom, Freetown. The event brought together senior government officials, security personnel, international partners, civil society organisations, the media and young people to discuss policing priorities and community safety.
Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu opened the ceremony with a welcome address. He called for stronger national and international partnerships to tackle increasingly sophisticated crimes that cross borders, including cybercrime, human trafficking, illicit trafficking and transnational organised crime. Sellu highlighted the need for improved intelligence sharing, digital forensics, cross‑border cooperation, advanced training and modern technology to strengthen law‑enforcement capacity. He reaffirmed the SLP’s commitment to professional standards, community‑oriented policing and human rights, stressing that public trust and legitimacy are essential for effective policing.
Minister of Internal Affairs Morie Lengor, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, delivered the keynote speech. Lengor underscored the importance of cooperation between national institutions, communities and international partners for maintaining peace and upholding the rule of law. He highlighted reforms within the SLP, such as the transition from a police force to a police service, improvements in community policing, and the ongoing review of the Police Act. Lengor also noted challenges including inadequate infrastructure, difficult working conditions and deficiencies in some detention facilities. He called for sustained support from the United Nations, INTERPOL, ECOWAS, the African Union and development partners to enhance training, forensic and digital capabilities, communications, mobility and police infrastructure.
Other speakers at the event included United Nations Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakana, National Security Coordinator Abdulai Caulker, Chairman of the Local Policing Partnership Board for Congo Cross Division Simeon Bai Sesay, and civil society representative Sao Lamin. Their remarks emphasized the shared responsibility of state institutions, communities and civil society in protecting vulnerable groups, promoting peace and strengthening accountability.
Acting Director of Corporate Affairs CSP Brima Q. Sesay presented an overview of the SLP’s achievements and challenges, stressing the need for continuous capacity building, adequate resources, institutional support and stronger partnerships to enhance public confidence.
The commemoration concluded with an interactive dialogue involving representatives of the SLP, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, civil society organisations, the Kids Parliament and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists. Discussions focused on protecting vulnerable members of society and strengthening trust, transparency, accountability and mutual respect between security institutions and the public.
Both IGP Sellu and Minister Lengor reaffirmed the SLP’s commitment to building a professional, accountable, trusted and people‑centred police service. Lengor described the event as a “public covenant” to create a police service worthy of Sierra Leone’s hard‑won peace.
Article and image source: thecalabashnewspaper.com
