By Hassan Osman Kargbo
QCell Mobile Company has opened discussions with the Sierra Leone Police on a proposed Closed User Group partnership aimed at improving internal communication across the force.
A delegation from QCell met the Inspector General of Police Mr William Fayia Sellu at Police Headquarters in Kingtom as part of a strategic engagement to examine how the company’s Closed User Group programme could be extended to police personnel nationwide.
Speaking during the meeting QCell Sales Officer Madam Mama Conteh said the engagement followed guidance from the company’s Chairman Mr Mohamed Jah. She explained that the purpose was to assess the feasibility of introducing a Closed User Group package tailored to the operational needs of the Sierra Leone Police.
Madam Conteh said QCell has implemented similar communication arrangements for security forces in The Gambia with positive results. She added that the company is keen to replicate the initiative in Sierra Leone to support policing and public safety efforts.
According to her the Closed User Group programme is designed to allow members within an organisation to communicate more efficiently at reduced cost. She noted that for the police such a system would strengthen coordination enhance response time and support effective service delivery. She stressed that reliable communication remains a critical tool for modern policing.
Also addressing the meeting the Head of Corporate Sales Madam Mariama Jalloh outlined incentives that could accompany the proposed partnership. She disclosed that if negotiations are successful QCell would provide two months of free calls to all subscribers on the Closed User Group platform as well as one month of free data.
Madam Jalloh further informed the Inspector General that QCell offers post paid services which she said could be particularly useful for senior officers who require uninterrupted communication for operational and administrative duties.
In his response Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu welcomed the proposal and commended QCell for considering the police in its corporate engagement. He described the initiative as timely and relevant to the operational demands of the force.
However the police chief pointed out that a major challenge would be the fact that not all police personnel currently use QCell SIM cards. He also disclosed that the Sierra Leone Police is presently operating a Closed User Group arrangement with another mobile network provider.
The Inspector General advised that any potential collaboration with QCell could begin with senior officers and later cascade to lower ranks depending on uptake and effectiveness. He noted that gradual implementation would allow the force to properly assess the benefits of the programme.
To move the process forward IGP Sellu directed the Head of Police Media Assistant Commissioner of Police Brima Kamara Esq to serve as the focal person for further engagement with QCell. He tasked ACP Kamara to liaise with the company and explore effective ways of sensitising police personnel on the proposed Closed User Group initiative nationwide coverage.
The meeting ended with both parties expressing commitment to continued dialogue as discussions progress toward a possible partnership that could enhance communication and operational efficiency within the Sierra Leone Police.
