July 21, 2021
By Kamal M Barrie (Kenema)
On the 16th July 2021, the AIG East, Mr Solomon Mustapha Kambeh engaged the executive members of the Local Policing partnership Board Kenema Division to entrench the existing relationship between the two organizations.
In his opening statement, the Local Unit Commander(LUC) for Kenema Division; Chief superintendent Mohamed Morie Kamara, who chaired the meeting informed the AIG that his LPPB executive is poised to work closely closely and endlessly with the SLP in his Division, to ensure effective, appropriate, equitable and accountable delivery of policing services
He said their activities have fundamentally led to an improved understanding and credibility in the relationship between the police and the local communities.
CSP Kamara ended by saying, “to promote neighborhood policing in Kenema Division, the Local Policing Partnership Board Executive has been instrumental to curb lawlessness in Kenema District and I have been enjoying working with them since I was the Support Officer in this division I’m now heading”, the LUC said.
The inception of the Local Policing Partnership Board (LPPB) into the operational strategies of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has greatly involved non – police stakeholders in security and crime prevention dispensations.
Since its establishment in 2002, Kenema Division, which is one of the largest divisions in Sierra Leone, has instituted an effective and efficient LPPB executive that has relentlessly supported the SLP in the Kenema municipality.
Addressing the Executive members of the LPPB, the Assistant Inspector-General of police East Mr. Solomon Kambeh maintained that he was happy to meet with the LPPB. He briefly gave the background of the emergence of the Community Relations Department, which was to work directly with the LPPB in the bid to operationalize the local need Policing.
Mr. Kambeh noted that the Local need Policing was the benchmark of the community Policing model that was introduced as one of the post war security sectors restructuring activities by the late President, Dr. Ahmed Tejan Kabba.
AIG further maintained that the formation of the LPPB was the key as the numerical strength of the police was not enough to cover the areas allocated to them.
Thus, it was very appropriate that the LPPB, who can be the eyes and ears of the police in far to reach areas, was inculcated into the Policing system. He encouraged the LPPB executive to team up with the LUC, who is the chief adviser to the board and the CRD to reactivate the community safety Volunteers in the already earmarked security zones in Kenema as that will reduce community theft, more especially at this point in time when we are deep in the rains.
He ended by expressing satisfaction over his serene acquaintance with the LPPB executive in Kenema Division.
Responding, Mr Alphajor Bah, Chairman of LPPB Kenema Division, on behalf of his members, expressed satisfaction over the meeting which he described as important and timely.
He insinuated that his executives were enjoying the working relationship with the police in Kenema and that led to the large turnout of Members at the short notice. He assured the AIG of their maximum cooperation and unflinching support in the fight against crime and the fear of crime.
In conclusion, Mr Bah stated that it has always been challenging when dispensing security in the rain. He agreed with the AIG, the only major strategy that could reduce incidences was by reactivating the Community Safety Volunteers across the city.
Mr. Bah further identified successes made by the LPPB in Kenema during the days of the Present deputy IG, the days of Mr. Sorie Kargbo and Mr. Karrow Kamara.
Successes like the construction of the Kenema Police Hospital, the construction of the ongoing Police Cells building at the Kenema Police Station to reduce congestion at the cells. The board further divided Kenema City into Security Zones and formed Community Safety Volunteers that aid the SLP.
He again said the LPPB has been instrumental in the recruitment of new police constables and during the panel of Police Promotions.
Similar sentiments were expressed by the Secretary of the board, the women’s leader and the vice chairperson, Madam Doris Kallie.
They all accepted to bringing onboard the Community Safety Volunteers to help securing the city of Kenema during the night. Resolution was also made to continue appealing to business people as well as other stakeholders to complete the construction of the Cells.
Official presentation of the executive members to the AIG, and a group photo climaxed the meeting.