July 29, 2021
By: MOHAMED M. SESAY
The Inspector General of Sierra Leone Police force Dr. Ambrose Sovula has yesterday the 28th July, facilitated additional capacity building for over thirty police officers through expert training of trainers (TOT) at the Hastings Police Training School. The three days training will end on Friday the 30th of July 2021. In return, the trainers will also train other police officers across the country in relation to professionalism, gender issues, among others.
In his statement during the opening session of the training, the Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police Dr. Ambrose Sovula expressed his gratification to have witnessed the opening session of the three days training for the Sierra Leone Police. He disclosed that when he took over the leadership of the Sierra Leone Police, he teamed up with some professionals in order to look at the police force and suggest to him what should be the road map activities in order to reform the police force. IGP Sovula further stated that after the consultation with the professionals, he realized that there was huge knowledge gap within the police force coupled with personnel welfare deficit which caused him to align his activity plan to be welfare driven and to further focus on the retraining of some personnel.
He continued that the three days training of trainers did not come by magic but rather cautiously designed based on the needs assessment he did. IGP Sovula noted that investment in training police officers is in line with President Bio’s vision in terms of Human Capital Development and therefore, encouraged both men and women in the police force to embrace capacity building through such trainings.
“We are here today to see how best we can actualize my thought, my intention into practicality. Due to the knowledge gap, my management was able to select ten officers to go to Nigeria for training which means, we need more capacity building for the police force so that we can train ourselves through the programme training of trainers (TOT)”, said IGP Sovula.
He therefore extended his profound thanks and appreciation to the facilitators for translating his long held vision into reality. He further encouraged police personnel to have the quest for knowledge stressing that knowledge is the key to success. He recalled that during his days as a cadet officer when others were busy going to United Nation for Money; he was busy searching for knowledge adding that, it is the knowledge that has taken him to the level of Inspector General of Police. He concluded by reiterating the words of encouragement to his police personnel to inculcate the passion for knowledge and to seek capacity building at all times.
On his part, the Lead Consultant for the training Professor M.Y Bangura said they have devoted their time in order to support the Sierra Leone police in their quest for capacity building. He added that just after the three days session of training of trainers, they will also move on to another short courses which include; leadership and management, project management and planning, appropriate communication skills among others for the police personnel. He continued that courses like conflict and social management, peacekeeping operations, cybercrime and relationship between the police and the media will also be among the short courses which will be implemented soon. He concluded by assuring the trainees that they will not regret the skills they will acquire during the three days training session.
Commending the consultants for the capacity training for police Officers, the Deputy Inspector General of Police Elizabeth Turay also thanked and appreciated the effort of the lead facilitator Professor Bangura for his passion when it comes to conducting trainings for the men and women within the Sierra Leone Police Force describing it as a true capacity building for the force. She added that the facilitators have worked assiduously in putting together the Training of Trainers package, injected enough effort into the training in consultation with the Inspector General of Police and the Executive Management Board Members.
She also disclosed that the TOT programme will help capacitate thirty men and women in the Sierra Leone police from various specialized areas such as the Family Support Unit (FSU), the Operational Support Division (OSD), and other areas within the police force. She maintained that their aim is to revamp and revitalize the police academy through capacity building and conducting periodic training for trainers. She expressed hope that at the end of the three days training, the thirty police men and women would have required the requisite training skills and knowledge so that they can prepare for future short courses.