British Police Training Head Holds Courtesy Meeting with IGP Fayia Sellu

Madam Peace C. Bakwe, the newly appointed head of the British Police Support Training (BPST) in Sierra Leone, paid a courtesy call on Inspector General of Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu at Police Headquarters in Freetown on Tuesday.

A retired Deputy Inspector General of Police from Nigeria, Madam Bakwe was accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Josephine Gauld. She said the meeting was intended to discuss the future of peacekeeping support operations under BPST and expressed optimism that it would further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Welcoming the delegation, IGP Sellu expressed gratitude for the United Kingdom’s long-standing support to the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), noting that it had been integral to the force since its inception. “The Sierra Leone Police is a baby of the British government,” he remarked.

The IGP highlighted the need for additional support in capacity building, which he described as a key gap within the SLP. Reflecting on his three years in office, he said he had prioritized creating more training opportunities both locally and internationally. He recalled that ahead of the 2023 general elections, the British government had facilitated multiple training programs for SLP personnel.

IGP Sellu noted that local training would allow a larger number of officers to benefit. “We are looking forward to cooperating with our partners to help us move one step ahead,” he said.

The IGP also briefed the delegation on ongoing institutional reforms within the SLP, including the transition from a Force to a Service, modelled on Ghana’s example. He disclosed that the new Police Act, which will replace the 1964 Act, has been submitted to the Attorney General and is expected to be tabled in Parliament soon. He invited Madam Bakwe to participate in the nationwide sensitisation campaign once the Act becomes law.

High Commissioner Gauld said she was pleased to facilitate the meeting and confirmed that the British government had taken note of the SLP’s request for support in capacity building. She expressed optimism about deepened collaboration, noting the shared commitment to strengthening the SLP.