By: Fayia Jr. Moseray
The Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), William Fayia Sellu, has warmly welcomed and commended a team of 150 police officers who recently returned from a peacekeeping mission in Kenya, East Africa. The well-attended homecoming ceremony took place at the Senior Police Officers’ Mess in Kingtom, Freetown.
The officers, who had been deployed on the African Union (AU) Peacekeeping Mission, spent several months away from home, serving in the interest of regional peace and stability. Upon their return, they were celebrated for their dedication, professionalism, and the pride they brought to Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leone Police Force.
In his keynote address, IGP Sellu expressed profound gratitude for the officers’ commitment, describing their service as an honorable contribution to international peace and a source of national pride. “You have made Sierra Leone proud,” he said. “Your selfless work in Kenya will not go unnoticed.”
The Inspector General also took the opportunity to urge the returnees to remain disciplined, law-abiding, and professional in their conduct, emphasizing that the police force must set the standard for integrity in the country. During the ceremony, he upheld this commitment by correcting a minor display of disorderly behavior from an officer who attempted to speak out of turn demonstrating his insistence on order and decorum.
He further warned against involvement in drug-related activities, stressing that no police officer should be associated with such misconduct. “As peacekeepers, you are now role models. The public expects exemplary behavior from you,” he stated.
IGP Sellu also assured the officers that their return packages and benefits would be provided in due course and encouraged them to remain patient and focused as they reintegrate into their national roles.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, a representative of the mission team thanked the IGP for his visionary leadership and continuous support. He acknowledged the professionalism and encouragement offered by the SLP leadership before, during, and after their deployment, describing the experience as a tremendous opportunity to serve both the continent and their country.
The returnees pledged to apply the skills and knowledge they gained from the mission to strengthen the capacity and performance of the Sierra Leone Police Force.
The ceremony concluded with expressions of joy, group photographs, and renewed commitments by the returning officers to contribute meaningfully to national security and peace-building efforts.