Interacting with public sector institutions through customized public education meetings demonstrates the Anti-Corruption Commission’s commitment to widening the space for more collaboration and participation in the fight against corruption.
It is against this backdrop that the Public Education Unit of the ACC’s Eastern Regional office in Kenema has held a dialogue meeting with personnel of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) during their muster parade.
Some of the key messages the Commission conveyed included the need for the personnel to always uphold integrity, transparency and accountability in their operations and workplace.
Public Education Officer, JenebaKemoh, described corruption as a major threat to economic development, while acknowledging the contributions of the SLP in the fight against corruption and national development and security.
While speaking on Integrity and Transparency, she emphasized that they are fundamental character traits of a good police officer and that they are also key in boosting public trust and confidence in the police as a whole and that policing should go above or beyond expecting rewards and gifts as stated in Section 51 of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019.
She further said that upholding integrity is critical to good policing as it helps officers to live in accordance with the core values of the institution which enables them for promotion and other leadership positions within the force. “I therefore encourage you to work with professionalism, bravery, strong ethics and respect and reject all forms of corruption,’ she said.
The Public Education Officer said the Anti-corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019 has increased many fines to not less than Le50 million or a jail term of five (5) years per count.
She concluded by announcing the toll free lines of 077-985985/077986986 or 515 to make report to the Commission.
While responding to the anti-corruption messages, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Fomba Jusu said the discussion is timely and highly welcome. He promised to ensure and to remind personnel to work with integrity for better policing as the ACC and SLP are partners in eradicating corruption in the country.
