January 10, 2022
By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
The Sierra Leone Police has launched criminal investigations against several of its police officers stationed in the northern part of the country, a senior police officer stated.
The revelation was made by Assistant Commissioner of Police Brima Kamara, after a report was made on the alleged death of a 17 month old baby who died in a police cell after the mother was arrested on allegations of a stolen bag that was reported by Yeabu including stolen items worth Le750,000($75) in local currency.
Brima Kamara said the police force has instituted actions to ascertain what occurred.
“Someone lost her life and that has to be investigated criminally and that’s why we are bringing the pathologist to ascertain the cause of death and put together whatever we have and make determination as to who was responsible for what happened”, Assistant Commissioner noted.
He continued that police investigators are taking a two track investigative approach into the matter and that an administrative investigation is also underway.
“The Administrative investigations is to specifically look at the conduct of Police officers connected with the incident and determine if police protocols and procedures were followed or disregard”, Mr. Brima Kamara assures
He furthermore stated that the local unit commander, crime officer, investigating officer, female lockup officer, and shift commander are all under suspension Mr. Brima stated in connection to the incident of the 17 month old baby that died.
He said only the LUC was not arrested and placed in police custody.
The dead body of the child was believed to have been brought to Freetown for postmortem.