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Inspector General of Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu has welcomed a delegation from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), reaffirming the Sierra Leone Police’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships aimed at enhancing professionalism and investigative capacity within the force.
The delegation, led by TIKA Project Expert Fazil Akin Erdogan, paid a courtesy visit to the IGP at the Senior Police Officers’ Mess in Kingtom, Freetown, on Monday, 15 June 2026. During the meeting, Erdogan expressed satisfaction with the growing cooperation between TIKA and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and conveyed his organization’s commitment to deepening the partnership.
Welcoming the delegation, IGP Sellu thanked TIKA for its continued support to the SLP and underscored the importance of specialized training in addressing critical capacity gaps within the force.
He noted that advanced training in home and workplace search techniques would significantly improve the investigative capabilities of officers and contribute to the effective administration of justice.
The Police Chief expressed optimism about expanding future collaboration with TIKA and highlighted the importance of knowledge-sharing initiatives that equip officers with modern investigative skills. He further noted that the visiting international police training team would facilitate a five-day course on judicial search techniques for Sierra Leone Police personnel.
Following the courtesy visit, the TIKA delegation joined senior police officials at the Atlantic Hotel in Aberdeen for the official launch of the training programme. The initiative is designed to strengthen the capacity of investigators to conduct professional, lawful, and effective searches in line with established judicial procedures and international best practices.
The training, which runs from 15 to 19 June 2026 at the Atlantic Hotel, Lumley Beach, has brought together investigators from key operational units of the SLP, including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU), Interpol, the Family Support Unit (FSU), and Integrated Intelligence Services (IIS).
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Inspector General of Police Sahr Yomba Senesie praised TIKA for sponsoring the programme, describing it as a timely intervention that would enhance the professional competence of investigators across the force.
He said the training represents an important step in strengthening the operational effectiveness of the SLP and encouraged participants to fully engage in the sessions and share the knowledge gained with colleagues upon completion.
DIG Senesie also reaffirmed the commitment of the police leadership to continuous professional development, stressing that well-trained officers remain central to effective policing and quality service delivery.
The training programme forms part of broader efforts by the Sierra Leone Police leadership to improve investigative standards, promote professionalism, and enhance public confidence in policing services across the country.
