By: Audrey Raymonda John
Inspector-General of the Sierra Leone Police Force, William Fayia Sellu, at a well-attended ceremony held at the Police Wives’ complex, KingTom, in the west end of Freetown on the 3rd October 2024 decorated twenty-five (25) newly promoted Senior Police Officers (SPOs) whose ranks to Assistant Inspector-General (AIG), Commissioners of Police (CP), and Assistant Commissioner of Police was respectively approved by the Police Council a few days ago.
The “decoration program” moderated by the Sierra Leone Police Media and Spokesperson, ACP Brima Kamara, was attended by the Honourable Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Police Council of Sierra Leone, among several other dignitaries, including the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Defence of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), the National Security Coordinator, the Chief Fire Officer, the Director-General of the Sierra Leone Correctional Services, and many more.
In his opening remarks after the usual protocols and pleasantries preceding official functions, the Chief Executive Officer of the Sierra Leone Police, Mr. William Fayia Sellu, congratulated the newly promoted SPOs whom he described as “worthy to be elevated to the respective ranks.”
IGP William Fayia Sellu commended the resilience and steadfastness of the newly promoted Senior Police Officers (SPOs), thus remarking that “promotion is a movement upwards. You deserved to be promoted and celebrated.” The CEO of the SLP furthered that “there is time for every purpose. This is your time. Enjoy it”, he emphasized. IGP William Fayia Sellu urged the newly promoted SPOs to “renew and strengthen their commitment and discipline in serving this nation.”
As a caring father would address his loving children, IGP Fayia Sellu encouraged those not promoted to “not despair, as your time will surely come.”
In his concluding remarks, the Inspector-General of Police reminded the newly promoted SPOs that “to whom much is given, much is expected. I have the utmost confidence in you”, he boasted with an unusually broad smile.
The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Honourable Moriba Koroma, popularly known as Agbao, in a speech lasting not more than two minutes, praised the effectiveness and robustness of the Police under the leadership of Mr. William Fayia Sellu and congratulated the newly promoted officers.
The keynote speaker of the Decoration Ceremony, the Honourable Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Police Council, congratulated the newly promoted Senior Police Officers whom he said have “served selflessly in defense of this nation.”
The Honourable Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, recounted several reforms and capacity-building programs undertaken by the government of His Excellency, Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, to ensure that the Sierra Leone Police meets international standards and becomes the best in the West African sub-region.
“The era of promotion by labeled and you bourbon dae oh, don,” remarked Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who further reminded the new Police chiefs that “we are positioning you for future leadership roles in the SLP, the continent of Africa, and the global stage.”
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh praised the SLP’s people-centered/community approach to resolving conflicts. “Your sound relationship with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) is worth emulating. Once more, on behalf of His Excellency President Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, I thank the IGP and all those who, in their respective capacities, contributed to this worthy selection of these fine Senior Police Officers to the respective ranks they carry today”, he concluded.
The decoration ceremony climaxed with live musical performances by several local artists, including the legendary Allieu Sannoh, alias Leeman of Respect Police fame, whose talent was appreciated with a sumptuous gift from the Honourable Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh.
Newly promoted Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mrs. Esther Mary Kaintor-Dukuray, proposed the Vote of Thanks.
