By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Sierra Leone Police on daily basis strives to improve the level of knowledge of its personnel through local in-service as well as international courses.
There is the belief and verily true that no matter the depth of knowledge one acquires, if not refreshed, there is the tendency for that knowledge to wane or extinct with time.
Against that backdrop, the Training Directorate of the SLP, under the watchful eyes of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) – William Fayia Sellu, on Monday October 10, 2022, formally opened two Training of Trainers Courses on Public Order Management and Information, Communication and Technology, at the Sierra Leone Peacekeeping and Law Enforcement Academy (SILEA), Hasting Campus.
Steve O’Donoghue, a Police Adviser of the British Peace Support Team, said that the Sierra Leone Police was and still considered a significant police organization in Africa, much as they contribute immensely to peacekeeping missions in Africa.
He noted the importance of the Public Order Management training, which, he said, was about knowledge sharing. He encouraged participants to do their best to acquire the knowledge that will be transferred to them.
On his part, the Director of Maxim N’yansa – Michael Jabie Musa, gave a synopsis of the History of the organisation; and explained that the ICT training was designed into three phases:
The Director of Training – AIG Sylvester Koroma, as keynote speaker, apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Inspector General, who is committed in ensuring training programmes for personnel in the SLP. He thanked the donors and trainers for putting together both trainings, which, he said, were a demonstration of true leadership.
He noted that the SLP is a learning institution which stands ready to embrace any training that would help to enhance personnel’s capacity to deliver on the job. The Director encouraged personnel in the SLP to keep learning. “Don’t get settle on what you have learnt, but keep learning”, he stated.
AIG Koroma acknowledged that the mode of training creates a way for the participants to be leaders in mastering their operations and policing ethics. As Director of Training, he was categorical that he will ensure that all that shall be done during the training will be in line with international best standards.
On that note, he cautioned participants to take the training seriously with firm commitment; emphasising, that the cyber training would have a direct impact on our investigations’ skills.
Mr. Koroma, on behalf of the IGP, thanked the British people for always supporting the Police with training capabilities; noting, that the IGP’s quest is to professionalise the Police through training.
Whilst declaring both trainings open, he stated that in future, all trainings will be assessed, so as to determine their true impact.
Other speakers were the Deputy Director of Training, Head of Peacekeeping Operations Department, and the Commandant of Hastings Campus.
Visitation of lecture rooms and group photographs climaxed the opening ceremony.
