Top management of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) held a productive meeting with a delegation of paramount chiefs from Bombali District on October 17, 2024, at the Police Headquarters on George Street, Freetown. The discussion focused on the positive impact of community policing across various chiefdoms in the district.
During the meeting, Paramount Chief Bai Bairoh III expressed the chiefs’ collective sentiments, highlighting their ongoing consultations that emphasize the importance of police collaboration with local authorities in addressing security challenges. He praised the SLP’s community policing efforts, noting that they have fostered a closer relationship between police division and regional commanders and the communities they serve.
Chief Bairoh III reminisced about the tenure of Deputy Inspector General of Police (D/IGP) Samadia as Regional Police Commander for North-East, describing it as a peak period for effective policing in Bombali District. He urged the SLP management to maintain the strong security framework established then and extend these practices nationwide. He advocated implementing community policing across all chiefdoms to cultivate better relationships between the SLP and local populations, ultimately enhancing the country’s security system.
In response, Inspector General of Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu acknowledged the chiefs’ satisfaction with police activities in Bombali and reaffirmed the SLP’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across all chiefdoms.
Drawing on the Local Needs Policing approach that D/IGP Samadia introduced as the North-East Regional Commander, IGP Sellu highlighted the necessity of involving community stakeholders in policing efforts. He reflected on the challenges when Samadia first assumed regional leadership, emphasizing how his community-oriented tactics effectively restored security and public trust.
Sellu recounted a specific incident involving the tragic shooting of one of their senior officers, known as ‘Boika,’ which underscored the pressing need for adept leadership in addressing security concerns. He credited Samadia’s expertise in community policing for navigating the situation effectively and restoring order, ultimately making the SLP and the government proud.
The engagement concluded with discussions on strategies to sustain community involvement and ensure the ongoing safety and security of Bombali District.
