AYV News, October 14, 2024
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. William Fayia Sellu has officially received a shipment of computer equipment from the European Union (EU) in collaboration with Interpol, which will be deployed to establish 100 West Africa Police Information System (WAPIS) work stations across Sierra Leone.
During the handover ceremony, the IGP emphasized that the new equipment will significantly enhance the police’s ability to access information both regionally and globally. He stated that the initiative will facilitate crime trend analysis, deepen the understanding of criminal patterns, and strengthen collaboration with law enforcement agencies within the country and beyond. Providing context for the WAPIS initiative, IGP Sellu highlighted that ten countries along West Africa’s coastline face increasing attractiveness to criminal activities. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, police leaders recognized the continent’s growing challenges related to drug trafficking, terrorism, and transnational organized crime. This collective concern led to a meeting in Cotonou, Benin, in 2010, which paved the way for the establishment of WAPIS. Sierra Leone officially joined the WAPIS network on January 26, 2022, when IGP Sellu served as the Director of Crime Services.
Initially starting with seven work stations, Sierra Leone has since expanded to 21, though IGP Sellu acknowledged ongoing challenges with electricity and internet connectivity in certain areas. The WAPIS system operates on three interconnected platforms—local, regional, and global—ensuring that Sierra Leone remains an active participant in the collective fight against organized crime. The IGP assured attendees of the responsible use of the newly received equipment and reiterated his commitment to the sustainability of the WAPIS framework.
Dr. Mohamed Yansaneh, WAPIS Coordinator and Commissioner of Police, explained that the system aims to create a comprehensive electronic criminal data record for tracking at national, regional, and global levels. He also noted that EU funding for WAPIS will conclude in November and urged the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) to take full ownership of the system to ensure its continued success.
The handover included a total of 100 each of Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Central Processing Units (CPU), monitors, and scanners, all vital for the operation of the work stations. Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Mrs. Elizabeth Turay offered a vote of thanks on behalf of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, expressing gratitude to the donors for their generous support and advocating for further assistance to enhance investigative capabilities.
