Community engagement, dialogue and negotiations are the effective and efficient means of modern policing strategy that enhance proactive measures in preventing crime and the fear of crime.
On today’s date 11th May, 2023, in a meeting well attended by APC and SLPP Regional executive members, that was urgently summoned by the Regional Commander North West Mr Francis Moses Tower (AIG), which emanated from a tip off of youth violence that was about to erupt between the two contending parties ie APC and SLPP supporters in Port Loko yesterday and was swiftly quelled down by the LUC Port Loko CSP Musa N. Mansaray.
The Regional Commander in his opening statement thanked and appreciated all those who left their busy schedules to attend the meeting within the shortest time and implored them to continue such cooperations.
In his submission, both party executives were admonished and given a stern warning to talk to their respective supporters to stay off from any form of political violence and intimidation against each other.He continued that he has been working very hard with his team to build up public confidence on the security and to maintain peace within the Region, which he vowed to continue on that vain before, during and after the forthcoming elections.
He also affirmed to maintain an ethical professional policing and neutrality in the exercise of his duty to ensure peace and public compliance for law and order across the Region.
However, several speakers from the side of the police made similar statements emphasizing the need for political tolerance and to calm down their supporters to maintain peace. They maintained that whosoever is found wanting to be a trouble shooter will squarely face the wrath of the Law without hesitation and equally, whosoever comes to show any representation of any culprit arrested by the police, will be implicated to have sponsored the violence.
In response, both parties expressed willingness to work with the security forces and accepted the fact that they are all brothers and sisters and are related by blood , so they cannot opt to destroy each other as a result of political struggle. They both agreed on the following resolutions.
RESOLUTIONS
1: Both parties agreed to conduct a radio show together to talk to their supporters.
2: They are to organize inter-political meetings from one party office to another.
3: They are to organize inter-political party peace march to process on the street of Port Loko.
4: Five 5 executive members from each political party to form up the coordinating team.
5: Police to ensure a level playing field before during and after the conduct of the elections.
6: All executive members to talk to their supporters to ignore any form of spillover effect of political violence.