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Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. William Fayia Sellu has officially received a shipment of computer equipment from the European Union (EU) in collaboration with Interpol.
This equipment will establish 100 West Africa Police Information System (WAPIS) work stations across Sierra Leone, enhancing the police’s access to regional and global information.
During the handover ceremony, IGP Sellu emphasized that the new equipment would facilitate crime trend analysis and strengthen collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
He noted that ten countries along West Africa’s coastline face increasing criminal activities, prompting a collective response that led to the establishment of WAPIS after a pivotal meeting in Cotonou, Benin, in 2010.
Sierra Leone joined the WAPIS network on January 26, 2022. Initially starting with seven work stations, the country has expanded to 21 with support from INTERPOL and the EU, although challenges with electricity and internet connectivity remain.
The WAPIS system operates on local, regional, and global platforms, ensuring active participation in the fight against organized crime.
Dr. Mohamed Yansaneh, WAPIS Coordinator and Commissioner of Police, explained that the system aims to create comprehensive electronic criminal data records for tracking purposes.
He urged the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) to take full ownership of the system as EU funding concludes in November.
The handover included 100 Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Central Processing Units (CPU), monitors, and scanners essential for the work stations. Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Mrs.
Elizabeth Turay expressed gratitude to the donors on behalf of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, advocating for further assistance to enhance investigative capabilities.
The ceremony marked a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s efforts to strengthen law enforcement and improve public safety through better access to information.
