September 3, 2021
By Hafsatu Z. Bangura
The Sierra Leone police held a press conference at the George street headquarters in Freetown to update members of the press on plans that are underway to revert to the old ranking systems.
Members of the press were also informed about available vacancies in the force that are to be filled.
It was revealed that the new establishment of ranks will be enforced by the end of this year.
During the early 1990s there were a total of 19 ranks in the force but from 1990 to 2003 the force was restructured and there was an overlapping of some ranks that had to be omitted.
It was disclosed that the police will go back to the old system of allocating ranks albeit with some differences where in the salaries will remain the same.
It was maintained that those that entered in the force as cadet will graduate as sergeants.
The director of crime services, Mr. Francis Lebbie said there is little to report on crimes, noting that some cases have been charged and prosecuted in court.
Furthermore, it was revealed that new ranks will be introduced such as Sargent Major that was introduced in 1964, but was dropped as officers were stuck in one position for years due to the fact that there are no vacancies to be ranked in higher positions due to congestion of ranks in the force.
Other ranks to be introduced are sub Sergeant, Sub inspector, Chief Inspector of police, Cadet ASP, and for inspector of police the position will now be addressed as Assistant Superintendent of Police.
“The higher the ranks, the more increase in Salary”,Mr Lebbie noted.