February 22, 2021
Albert Baron Ansu
The leaks of classified Police documents have been happening for many years. It speaks to the trend of compromising Police work; the causations have always been manifold. Political loyalty and corruption have been the principal driving motivations. Implication of this security compromise can be far-reaching, as it lowers the image of the Police and makes the country insecure.
Thanks to the digitalization that has been instituted in modern policing that is now nurtured and producing result, the crooks- moles that have been doing dirty works for politicians in undermining major state matters will now be exposed, disrobed and even charged.
This is fate of the two Police officers Inspector Momoh Kargbo and Constable Abubakarr Sesay. Their fingerprints provided the lead to documents that was released to the press about persons of interest in major planed investigation. They are no longer Police officers but that is not all to it.
Their action is criminal and so criminal charge has to be pressed against. So the Criminal Investigation department is handling their matter. It is case that we are very interested in-in understanding the motivations of the disgraced former Police officers. Whose interest were they serving? It is easy to see that they were trying to protect people in the opposition All Peoples Congress. But we want to go beyond the speculations and that can only be deciphered when we hear their confessional statements. Who bribed them? We want to hear from them in the unfolding CID investigation. This betrayal of professional standard at the expense of institutional reputation and state security can even be treasonous and seditious. God knows how much of such has been done in the recent past.
The redemptive action of the SLP leadership in this matter is reassuring that things are getting better, the force for good ideal is seeping in.
Nobody is saying Police officers ought to be supporters of the ruling party; you have right to be an opposition. But when you want to be politician and Police at the same time it becomes dicey for all. You might even figure out what collateral effect you action might have when the crunch comes.
This was the sense and sincerity of purpose I gathered from a quick interaction with Media One, Supt. Brima Kamara.
“If we betray the trust of the state by our actions and inactions and there is an unfortunate incident arising thereof, what chances would have to go rescue my children at the scene of crime?”
His questions hung in the air of certainty-the likelihood of unfortunate repercussion that might befall anyone’s family in such circumstance.
But not many in position of trust have that patriotic sensitivity to be circumspect to protect the corporate image; lest I talk of the national stability in promoting the rule of law. It becomes so dangerous when the Police is so given to high level criminality. This is why this case matters much to all Sierra Leoneans regardless of your political persuasion. Let us celebrate the Police in their swift response to clean the stable and we must get to the bottom of the case in earnest. For once, we must create a high risk environment for those who are ingrained in the bribery and perversion of justice in this country. And we can count on the assurance from Director of Professional Standard CSP Victor Michael Williams: we set a precedent so that officers can stop leak sensitive and classified security information that makes the state vulnerable.
