Local Units Commanders (LUC) of the Sierra Leone Police have completed a 3-day intensive training on Elections Security Management.
Inspector General of Sierra Leone Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu gave an assurance that under his leadership, the upcoming June 2023 General Elections and processes leading up to the actual Elections, will be efficiently policed.
He called on his Police Local Unit Commanders to be more effective and efficient in the discharge of their duties before, during and after the June 2023 elections.
The engagement took place at the Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Campus at Hastings.
According to the Sierra Leone Police’s Chief Executive Officer, several trainings have been done for different sets of officers on electioneering matters.
He said the trainings have now been escalated to the level of Commanders.
The 3 days training, he said, was well structured to capacitate the LUCs in handling critical issues during the electioneering period.
“I’m sure you are now more fully loaded than you were three days ago in terms of elections security management,” said the Police Chief, noting that the training can be of benefit only when knowledge gained is shared with others and implemented.
He disclosed that he is expecting positive changes from them as Commanders as the country soon moves into the stage of Voter ID Cards collections and eventually, Polling Day.
IGP Sellu, emphasised that whilst they have a myriad of policing duties in service to the Nation, their focus, for now, should be on ensuring efficient policing of the 2023 Elections and therefore, he urges them to be more proactive and more committed. He sternly cautioned them to not always rely on their subordinates.
The Sierra Leone Police Chief also commended the Strategic Capacity Group of the Embassy of the United States of America for their relentless support to the Sierra Leone Police.
Meanwhile, the Director of Training, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Sylvester N. Koroma also disclosed that the Commanders were taught key components of Elections Security Management which aims to help to enhance and improve their Knowledge Base in matters of handling Elections Security matters.
The Senior Police Advisor from the US Embassy, Jean Marc Barattolo, also expressed optimism that knowledge gained from the 3-days training would be implemented in ensuring preventive measures against Elections Violence and electioneering crimes rather than the tactical response.
The ceremony was climaxed with the award of certificates to the trainees.