Sierra Leone’s internal affairs minister has urged closer cooperation among police, government, communities and international partners as the country confronts evolving security threats.

Minister of Internal Affairs RTD AIG Morie Lengor Esq. made the call during a UN Police Cooperation commemoration at the Bank Complex in Kingtom under the theme, “Strengthening Partnerships for Effective Policing and Safer Communities.”

Lengor said stronger partnerships are essential to building safer communities and advancing professional, accountable policing.

He described the commemoration as an important reflection of Sierra Leone’s transition from conflict to constitutional governance and its continued commitment to cooperation within the security sector.

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The minister said ongoing developments within the Sierra Leone Police include the transition from a police force to a police service, expanded community policing initiatives and a review of the Police Act.

He also highlighted increased security-sector coordination and training in areas including human rights, criminal investigations, cybercrime and transnational organized crime. Greater attention to police welfare and women’s participation in policing were also cited among the developments.

Despite the progress, Lengor acknowledged persistent difficulties affecting police operations, including inadequate infrastructure and equipment, challenging working conditions and deficiencies at some detention facilities.

He also identified cybercrime, human trafficking, illicit drugs, gender-based violence and economic exploitation as emerging or continuing threats requiring stronger institutional responses.

According to Lengor, accountability mechanisms such as the Independent Police Complaints Board remain important for addressing concerns about police conduct and maintaining public confidence.

The minister appealed to international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, INTERPOL, ECOWAS and the African Union, as well as development partners, to support Sierra Leone’s policing capacity.

He called for assistance in sustainable training, forensic and digital capabilities, communications and mobility, and improvements to police facilities.

Lengor also urged government institutions, civil society groups, traditional and religious leaders, the media and the private sector to contribute to public safety, saying policing cannot be treated as the responsibility of law enforcement alone.

Addressing police officers, the minister called for discipline, professionalism, honesty, respect and accountability in the performance of their duties.

He said the effectiveness of policing should ultimately be judged by whether vulnerable people feel safer and receive equal treatment.

Lengor reaffirmed the government’s commitment to police reform, professionalism, human rights and accountability, describing the commemoration as a “public covenant” to build a police service worthy of Sierra Leone’s hard-won peace.