Sierra Leone Security Forces Launch High-Profile Inter-Agency Training to Boost Collaboration

The Sierra Leone Police, Armed Forces, Correctional Service, National Fire Force, and the Immigration Department have commenced a high-profile collaborative policing training course in Freetown.

This training brings together approximately 60 senior and middle-level officers from these organizations, aiming to enhance inter-agency collaboration, strengthen capacity, and improve service delivery within Sierra Leone’s security sector.

The course is facilitated by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and focuses on building operational competencies and technical expertise among law enforcement personnel.

During the opening session, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sahr Yomba Senesi, emphasized that capacity building is central to the transformation of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP). He stated, “Knowledge is valuable; it sharpens skills and improves service delivery. The transformative drive of the Sierra Leone Police requires personnel who can embrace strategic change, and this course is therefore timely.”

DIG Senesi highlighted the importance of continuous training in the SLP’s transition from a force to a service. He acknowledged the vital partnership between the SLP and KAIPTC, expressing gratitude for their ongoing support, and noted that the training would be “highly profitable and impactful.”

He stressed the significance of inter-agency cooperation, stating that collaboration among security forces in Sierra Leone has produced positive outcomes. “This course will further strengthen our partnership and enhance our collective efforts to combat crime objectively,” he added.

Mr. Victor N.A. Adamaa, representing the Ghanaian High Commission, explained that the concept of collaborative policing originated from the 1999 Abrahimo Report on the Sahel Region, which identified border security as essential for international peace and stability. He noted that the training aims to equip law enforcement officers with skills for peace operations and the prevention of transnational crime.

The programme is designed to promote effective collaboration and coordination in the discharge of security duties, contributing to a safer and more secure Sierra Leone.