By: Audrey Raymonda John
A high-level collaborative policing training course has officially commenced in Freetown, bringing together senior and middle-level officers from key security agencies, including the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, the National Fire Force, and the Immigration Department.
Facilitated by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), the training aims to enhance inter-agency collaboration, build institutional capacity, and improve service delivery across Sierra Leone’s security sector.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sahr Yomba Senesi, described capacity building as essential to the ongoing transformation of the Sierra Leone Police.
“Knowledge is valuable it sharpens skills and improves service delivery. The transformative drive of the Sierra Leone Police requires personnel who can embrace strategic change. This course is therefore timely,” DIG Senesi stated.
He stressed that the SLP’s transition from a force to a service cannot be achieved without continuous training. He also highlighted the strong partnership between the SLP and KAIPTC, describing it as crucial for building the competence of law enforcement officers.
DIG Senesi expressed gratitude to the KAIPTC Commandant and executive management for their ongoing support, noting that the training would be both “highly profitable and impactful.”
Emphasizing the importance of inter-agency cooperation, he added:
“Experience has shown that collaboration among sister forces in Sierra Leone has yielded positive results. This course will further strengthen our partnership and enhance our collective efforts to combat crime professionally and objectively.”
He urged participants to take the training seriously, emphasizing its potential to sharpen their skills and improve service delivery across their respective agencies.
Representing the Ghanaian High Commission, Mr. Victor N.A. Adamaa noted that the concept of collaborative policing originated from the 1999 Abrahimo Report on the Sahel Region, which identified border security as a key element of international peace and stability.
“This course will enhance the competence of law enforcement officers, equipping them with the necessary skills for peace operations and the prevention of transnational crime. The KAIPTC expects this training to significantly boost your knowledge in community collaboration, problem-solving, and crime-fighting,” Mr. Adamaa remarked.
Approximately 60 senior and middle-level officers from various security institutions are participating in the training. The program is designed to strengthen operational competencies, improve technical expertise, and promote effective collaboration and coordination in the execution of national security duties.