By: Sulaiman Aruna Sesay
Police officers play a pivotal role in maintaining law and order within the Sierra Leonean society. While they are often regarded as the guardians of the citizens’ safety and welfare, there have been numerous instances where police officers in the country have acted unprofessionally. These instances of unprofessional conduct not only tarnish the reputation of the police force but also endanger the lives and rights of the citizens.
One of the most common examples of unprofessional conduct exhibited by police officers in Sierra Leone is the use of excessive force when executing their duties. This has led to several cases of police brutality. The most recent incidence of police brutality occurred in the just concluded June 2023 general elections when a police team visited several polling stations and demonstrated high level of unprofessionalism. What meant to be a peaceful elections turned out to be violent engaged process. The people’s right to vote their leaders were to some extent denied with no clear justification for their actions. Such incidents stir public outrage, and often the police are accused of being trigger happy and prone to unwarranted aggression.
Unprofessional conduct area is police officers’ tendency to engage in corrupt practices such as collecting bribes. This alleged habit of accepting bribes by police officers has long been an issue in Sierra Leone. Some citizens feel the police force is more interested in lining their pockets than protecting and serving the people. This has created a sense of distrust and detachment between the police and the citizens. As a result, many people often feel intimidated by the police rather than protected by them.
Police officers have also been accused of neglecting duties assigned to them, such as not responding to emergency calls promptly or adequately. Sometimes when called upon, they tend to prioritize bigger cases over less pressing issues, neglecting their primary responsibility of maintaining law and order in the society. This unprofessional attitude has created a gap between the police and the citizens they serve, leading to frustration and a sense of insecurity among citizens.
Investigating and prosecuting crime is often met with skepticism by the general public in Sierra Leone. Often times, police officers are accused of messing up the prosecution process, leading to wrongful conviction of suspects. There have been several instances where police officers have mismanaged crime scenes, resulting in crucial evidence being destroyed. Also, the quality of investigations has been subpar in some cases, leading to wrongful charges or falling short of clear evidence to prosecute suspects.
Incidents of unprofessional behaviour exhibited by police officers in Sierra Leone have created a sense of mistrust and uncertainty among the populace. The continuous streak of police brutality, corrupt activities, and neglect of duties has tainted the image of the police force and undermines the confidence the people have in them. Therefore, there is a need for immediate actions to address these instances to strengthen the bond between the police and the citizens, promoting a harmonious society where the human rights of all are respected and upheld.
