By: Audrey Raymonda John
Kenema, Eastern Sierra Leone, recently played host to a Police-Military Security Cooperation (POMIC) workshop, bringing together personnel from the Sierra Leone Police, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, and the National Fire Forc. The event aimed to foster stronger inter-agency collaboration to enhance service delivery and bolster national security.
The workshop was officially opened by the Regional Police Commander for the East, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Francis Moses Tawer, who warmly welcomed participants and assured them of their safety in the region. In his address, AIG Tawer highlighted the longstanding collaboration between the police and other security institutions and emphasized the critical role of joint efforts in maintaining peace and public order. He also cautioned against any actions that could undermine the trust essential to inter-agency cooperation.
Representing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), AIG Andrew M. Kamara delivered remarks on behalf of police leadership. He acknowledged the mutual desire among police and military leadership to deepen cooperation and called on participants to replicate these efforts within their respective agencies.
Brigadier General George Mamuud Bangura, speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), stressed the importance of unity and synergy between the police and armed forces. He noted that effective security management relies on seamless coordination among all security sectors.
In a keynote address, the Provincial Security Coordinator (PRoSEC) for the Eastern Region underscored the value of coordinated security efforts. He praised the progress made under the POMIC framework and urged all stakeholders to remain committed to sustaining Sierra Leone’s peace and stability.
Workshop presentations included a review of the civil war’s background, its impact on civilians, and the genesis of the POMIC initiative. Participants also discussed the challenges facing inter-agency collaboration and proposed recommendations to improve future cooperation.
The event concluded with a strong collective commitment from all security agencies to strengthen operational collaboration across the region. Participants pledged to uphold the principles of POMIC as a guiding framework for joint security operations moving forward.