The Inspector General of Police, Mr. William Fayia Sellu, has held a high-level meeting with senior staff from the United Nations Department of Peace Operations (UNDPO) to explore areas of strategic support for the Sierra Leone Police (SLP).
The meeting, held at the SLP Headquarters in Kingtom, was led by Mr. Jerome Mellon, Head of Policy & Operational Support and Coordinator for West and Central Africa. Mr. Mellon began by commending the IGP for his leadership and efforts in strengthening the SLP’s collaboration with various UN agencies in Sierra Leone.
He further explained that UNDPO is currently working to document critical areas for intervention and support across West Africa, which necessitated the engagement with the Sierra Leone Police.
In his response, IGP Sellu acknowledged the substantial contributions already made by UN agencies, particularly the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in supporting the SLP’s transition from a Force to a Service. He singled out the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Frederick Hans Ampiah, for his instrumental role in advancing this transition through meaningful support.
Speaking on areas requiring immediate attention, the IGP highlighted Training and Logistical Support as key priorities. “Training is essential at this stage to reinforce existing knowledge and to update our officers on modern policing techniques. If you don’t reinforce what you know, it becomes extinct, he emphasized.
On logistical needs, Mr. Sellu cited key focus areas such as mobility, infrastructure development, technology, cyber security, and forensic equipment. He noted that while the SLP has established two cybercrime units at Police Headquarters and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), they require expansion and resourcing. He also pointed to the construction of new Divisions, Stations, and Posts across the country, many of which are in need of furniture and office equipment to function effectively.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Mellon welcomed the IGP’s insights and assured that the UNDPO is well-positioned to coordinate international support. “Though our work is not programmatic, we are operational in nature. We possess the capacity to identify, facilitate, and connect the right partners to provide the needed support’” he said. “We look forward to working closely with the SLP to coordinate international efforts and strengthen policing in Sierra Leone.”
SLP Media Team
