Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police has successfully concluded a nationwide recruitment and screening exercise aimed at selecting police officers to serve as Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) investigators.
The process, which took place across all regional headquarters, targeted officers from various departments and units of the Sierra Leone Police who voluntarily applied to be transferred to the FSU. The selected officers will take on the responsibility of protecting, promoting, and upholding the rights of all persons, particularly women and children, by handling SGBV and child-related cases.
According to the Head of FSU D/Superintendent Mansaray, the rigorous exercise was designed to test candidates’ general policing knowledge and skills. Ahead of the examinations, candidates were addressed by their respective Regional Commanders or Deputies, alongside representatives from Human Resource Management, the Complaints, Discipline and Internal Investigations Department (CDIID), and the FSU team. They were briefed on examination ethics, conduct, and policing regulations to ensure discipline and fairness throughout the process.
The recruitment drive reflects the vision of the Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, to transform the Sierra Leone Police from a traditional force into a modern police service.
The examinations were held under the supervision of Regional Commanders and designated examiners from FSU Headquarters in Freetown, together with Regional Human Resource Managers, CDIID officers, and FSU Regional Commanders in Kenema, Bo, Makeni, Port Loko, and Freetown. Proper monitoring and coordination were ensured, with all laid-down procedures strictly followed to guarantee transparency and credibility.
Out of 411 applicants, 308 were shortlisted for interview. Of these, 155 passed and proceeded to sit the entrance examination nationwide. In the end, 115 officers successfully passed the examination, comprising 35 females and 78 males.
Before assuming their new roles, the officers will undergo specialised training in SGBV and child-related investigations. The training is expected to enhance their competency and capacity to conduct professional, compassionate, and effective investigations. It will also contribute to building a safer society by strengthening access to justice for victims of SGBV.
The FSU noted that the high pass rate recorded across all regions demonstrates both the credibility of the process and the commitment of personnel to serve within the Unit. The leadership reaffirmed its dedication to upholding professional standards in line with international best practices and the wider transformation agenda of the Sierra Leone Police.
SLP Media Team
