By: Mamajah Jalloh
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) is seeking Le563.9 million for its FY2027 budget, more than double its allocated ceiling of Le279.2 million, to support police infrastructure, recruitment, equipment, mobility and preparations for the 2027 presidential and general elections.
The proposed budget was presented by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Allieu Turay on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Miatta Conference Centre, Youyi Building, in Freetown.
According to Turay, the SLP requires an additional Le284.7 million above its current budget ceiling to complete the rehabilitation and expansion of Police Headquarters, recruit 1,000 additional personnel, upgrade its garment production capacity, acquire an X-ray machine, complete the ICU theatre, install CCTV cameras nationwide and strengthen election preparedness.
Turay reported progress in infrastructure development, including the completion of the Detective Institutional Headquarters, Amadi Divisional Headquarters and a new police mortuary. He also cited the Police Community Health Centre and Lungi Abimele Police Barracks among the projects undertaken by the force.
He said rehabilitation and expansion works at Police Headquarters were approximately 75 percent complete, while a contract had been awarded for the furnishing and equipping of the facility, with payment expected in 2027.
The ACP also highlighted the acquisition of 35 vehicles for police formations nationwide, the delivery of customized motorcycles and operational vehicles, the installation of radio communication base stations and digital systems, and the establishment of a Police Blood Bank and Dental Clinic.
He added that the SLP was constructing a forensic laboratory as part of efforts to strengthen its investigative capacity.
On training, Turay said 1,120 personnel were being trained in proactive policing strategies, while 120 law enforcement officers were receiving training in technical operations, database architecture and information security standards.
He said the SLP was also participating in the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) initiative.
Turay reported that in March 2026, the police publicly destroyed 200kg of tramadol, 107kg of cannabis sativa, 5kg of cocaine and 1,600kg of Kush. He said the drugs were valued at more than Le1.4 million.
He further reported the destruction of 11,266kg of tramadol in April, with additional drug destruction exercises conducted in June and August.
On investigations and prosecutions, Turay said 70 cases remained under investigation, while 234 convictions had been recorded. He also reported that six cases had been sent to court, resulting in five convictions.
He said 703 deportees were received from Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Nigeria between January and August 2026.
Turay also highlighted international engagements by Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu, including participation in the Interpol Africa Regional Conference in South Africa as a special guest and bilateral meetings with international security delegates.
He said a Liberian Police delegation had visited Sierra Leone to learn from the SLP’s post-conflict policing experience, while the force had secured 31 advanced biometric capture devices from Interpol.
According to Turay, the SLP is also working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and a consultant to establish local uniform production, with the aim of reducing import costs and improving staff morale.
He added that the police had acquired drones capable of deploying tear gas, installed CCTV cameras at critical locations and launched SLP Online TV.
Turay said the force had increased collaboration with Community Relations Officers (CROs) and Local Policing Partnership Boards (LPPBs), including through sensitization campaigns on drug abuse and human trafficking.
Despite these developments, he identified budget constraints, personnel attrition, mobility challenges, equipment shortages, infrastructure gaps and gender imbalance as major challenges facing the police.
He said reduced budgetary allocations were affecting police operations, while high retirement rates were creating staffing gaps. He also cited shortages of patrol vehicles, ambulances, motorcycles, communication equipment, forensic and cybercrime tools, office supplies and accommodation.
Turay said UNDP had provided financial assistance for the procurement of vehicles, Family Support Unit-related activities, and administrative and operational supplies.
He disclosed that the SLP was projecting Le2.5 million in revenue from vehicle-related sources in 2027.
The Assistant Commissioner appealed to the Ministry of Finance for an increased allocation, stressing the need to strengthen election preparedness and improve working conditions for police personnel.
“We want to present a realistic budget. We are not here to see what we’ve done over the years, but going into 2027, the year before the elections, we need adequate resources to ensure security and safety for all Sierra Leoneans,” Turay said.
He also requested that future security-sector budget discussions be held privately; citing the sensitivity of some operational matters, while maintaining that the police remained committed to transparency with the public.