Sierra Leone’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu, has disclosed that they have received testing kits to be used to test personnel who are suspected to have taken narcotic substances while on duty and to ensure a strategic work delivery.

The IGP made this disclosure on Saturday 4th March 2023 while speaking at the official handing over of a newly constructed solar-powered water pump to the Police Wives Association at the Magburuka Police Barracks.

He noted that the spate of the use of narcotic drugs by personnel of the SLP is deepening and a cause for concern.

The IGP urged personnel to be disciplined and professional while executing their core functions, adding, that, “the things we do as Police Officers tend to cause the institution to lose public.”

He drew the attention of police personnel to the country’s general elections which are scheduled to take place in 24 June 2023, and advised personnel to be apolitical in the discharge of their duties at all times.

IGP Sellu urged the Local Unit Commander of the Magburuka Police Station to utilize his tasking and coordinating Group Members, especially the Community Relations Department embark to on massive community sensitization campaigns to build public trust and confidence of community people.

He noted that the SLP is equally involved in all the electioneering processes, starting from registrations of voters, and lower-level elections, to the voting and after-voting days.

He also instructed the Local Unit Commander Supt. Ibrahim Kamara to travel to Freetown to collect one brand new vehicle and two motorbikes from the Kingtom Police Garage, to be used to undertake effective patrols in his division, noting that that was the plea of Paramount Chief Alhaji Masakma Kanamka III of Kholifa Rowalla Chiefdom in Tonkolili District.

The IGP seized the opportunity to thank personnel for the successful policing of the APC National Delegates’ Conference in Makeni, adding, that he received lots of accolades concerning the conduct of personnel during the delegate conference.

He urged them to continue with the spirit of commitment and dedication toward their assignment.