July 14, 2021
By Aruna Kamara (Bo)
The new Regional Police Commander South, AIG Aiah Edward Samadia engaged the two LUCs of Bo West and East Divisions, Crime Officers and the Chairmen of the Local Policing Partnership Board(LPPB) for them to discuss the way forward for the expansion of both cells in Bo West and East Divisions respectively.
The Regional Police Commander said that he had observed with dismay the deplorable conditions of cells and the overcrowding of suspects which according to him is not in line with international best practices.
He further emphasized on the detention guidelines from the Human Right perspective and urged the two Chairmen to galvanize support to curb this menace in the two divisions.
“For minor offences, suspects are supposed to spend 72 hours and for major offences, 10 days as maximum period in cell depending on the nature of the investigation,” the AIG explained.
He urged all LUCs and Crime Officers to follow the standard operating procedures for the detention of suspects with constant monitoring of cells in order to minimize overcrowding of suspects in cells.
He pleaded with the LPPB Chairmen and the LUCs of the two (2) Divisions to chart the way forward for the proper implementation of the proposed expansion of the cells in the two Divisions.
The two LPPB Chairmen, Mr. Ralph C.F Jones of Bo East Division and Mr. Michael Macualey ‘alias Obama’ supported the initiative of the AIG and pledged their total support for the successful implementation of the proposed expansion of cells in the two Divisions.
The LUCs of the two Divisions equally welcomed the initiative of the AIG and promised to support the project and cascade the message of proper cells management to the custody officers.
The AIG thanked all and sundry for their frantic efforts as he had always emphasized on Proactive Policing as his pattern of Policing system that will fit the people of Bo City and its environs.
The meeting was climaxed by a brief visitation to the proposed site by all parties.