British Peace Support Team Boosts Police

In a significant move to further bolster the Sierra Leone Police’s (SLP) efforts, the British Peace Support Team, based in Nairobi, Kenya, paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu at his headquarters on George Street in Freetown.

During the meeting, led by Senior Police Peacekeeping Adviser Steven O’Donoghue, the team discussed the provision of a Public Order Tactics Advising Course, a vital opportunity for SLP officers. The course aims to enhance the capacity of police commanders in planning and executing public safety operations, thereby contributing to peacekeeping efforts in the region.

O’Donoghue outlined various project opportunities, including initiatives designed to boost the capabilities of participating countries in peacekeeping operations. He expressed the team’s desire to collaborate with IGP Sellu on these initiatives, specifically focusing on how the British team could support the SLP’s objectives.

Responding positively, IGP Sellu welcomed the team and highlighted the existing gap in human capacity development within the police force. He emphasized that training is an essential component of effective policing and expressed confidence that such training would help bridge this gap, enabling selected personnel to effectively replicate the skills and tactics acquired during the course.

The Inspector General reaffirmed his commitment to collaborating with the British Peace Support Team, reassuring them of his readiness to engage in further discussions aimed at facilitating more training opportunities for SLP personnel.

Following the meeting, the British Peace Support Team, accompanied by Director of Training, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Sahr Yomba Senesi, proceeded to the Sierra Leone Peacekeeping and Law Enforcement Academy (SILEA) to commence the Public Order Management Training. AIG Senesi encouraged participants to take full advantage of the advanced training, which would help position the Sierra Leone Police to effectively manage public order crises in their respective operations.

The visit marks a significant step towards strengthening the capabilities of the Sierra Leone Police and underscores the commitment of the British Peace Support Team to enhancing the Sierra Leone Police efforts in the region.