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The recent tragic incident in Freetown, where an individual likely suffering from mental illness, known as “Big Fish,” was shot and killed by a military personnel, has brought to light several pressing systemic issues that demand our immediate attention. While it is important to acknowledge the bravery and patience displayed by the military personnel involved, it is essential to delve deeper into the underlying problems that have come to the forefront.
The fact that by the admission of police in their statement a notorious criminal was freely roaming the streets of Freetown raises serious questions about the efficacy of our law enforcement agencies. We must consider implementing stronger oversight mechanisms to ensure that known criminals are apprehended and monitored effectively.
The absence of mechanisms to identify individuals suffering from mental illness is another glaring issue. We must prioritize mental health awareness campaigns and training for law enforcement personnel to recognize signs of mental distress. Additionally, the establishment of crisis intervention teams comprising mental health professionals and police officers can help de-escalate situations involving individuals in crisis without resorting to lethal force.
The disturbing public celebration following the shooting of “Big Fish” underscores a deep-seated problem within our society. We need to address this culture of violence and aggression. Big Fish was shot dead on International Peace Day. Promoting peaceful conflict resolution, empathy, and community engagement can be effective tools in changing societal attitudes toward violence.
The insensitivity displayed by those recording the incident is a stark reminder of our collective failure to empathize with those who need help the most. We should encourage programmes and initiatives that foster empathy, educate the public about mental health issues, and provide resources for individuals and families grappling with mental health challenges.
To tackle these systemic issues, comprehensive police force reform is essential. This includes investing in training, equipment, and technology for law enforcement agencies, as well as enhancing their capacity to address a broad spectrum of issues, from mental health crises to organized crime.
We must improve accountability mechanisms to ensure that officers who engage in misconduct are held responsible and ensure community policing practices that build trust and rapport between law enforcement. and the communities they serve.
This tragic incident should serve as a wake-up call for our society. We must confront the systemic issues that have been exposed, and we should do so with a commitment to change. By addressing these problems head-on, we can work toward building a more empathetic, compassionate, and safer society for all.
Well said by this writer! Our security services need more training on how to handle these people who are suffering from mental illness. There are lots of them hanging out there everyday, waiting to pounce the street and on vulnerable people. They are only waiting for the call of riot or demonstration for them to come out in full force. My advice to the security services, is to start taking these people off the street and into mental homes. So that they can start receiving treatments before they set commotion in our country. One could imagine what would have happened yesterday in the streets of Freetown with a loaded gun in the hands of a mentally derange individual. If that officer of the law was not there to neutralised the “Big Fish,” only God knows how many innocent lives he could have wasted. So please executives of our security services, let this be a warning short to you people to act now, especially when some other derange people are calling for demonstrations more often now.
Yeah, today’s write up show’s credible reporting with no politically motivated word’s.
My brother, I totally disagree with you, you cannot disarmed a serving officer and started shooting sporadically and then you want people to empathise with you, his unlawful disarmament of the officer needs to address first, the reasons for such action , that was an act of terrorism and causing public disorder.
Calling on all Government stack holders, Agencies, Development Partners, to help support/provide funds for organizations who are responsible to take care of such and also create more facilities in all district.
Let us treat it with all seriousness and also with urgency. Early Protection is very important.
We Must! And We Must Do It.
DefDefinitel This is really a wake up call to our society.
[…] the security official who shot him to death while other commenters have condemned the shooting. An article by Sierra Eye also exposed some systemic issues in the shooting […]
While good points were made and yes, every police force should have crisis teams that includes mental health professionals that could de-escalate a situation, this was a rather unique situation and the author drew some wrong conclusions. Big Fish grabbed an officer’s gun in a public place with numerous citizens going about their business and started shooting it recklesly. This is now a very dangerous situation. You can only warn him once as you can only assume lots of innocent lives will be lost AND he engaged the officer, shooting at him, we are now passed warning. He will be taken out.
The author assumed people were rejoicing simply because he got shot. Obviously, the author’s sympathies only run towards Big Fish. The author should have put himself in those people’s shoes. They were rejoicing because a very bad situation was rectified. Big Fish could have killed any number of them.
He was shot on International Peace Day because that is the day he chose to engage in action that will end his life, not because police in a meeting that morning, decided BF is dangerous, shouldn’t be on the street, raided his house to get him and shot him in the process. Also, nothing wrong with recording the incident. Yes, clearly BF was having a mental episode and had also had a previous similar episode but with a cutlass, so yeah mental illness and help should be available. If he was walking around naked, talking to himself and gesturing wildly, yes, insensitive, but this should have been recorded. Keep in mind cell phone recordings help us see that a situation happened the way the police said it happened.
Author also complained that a notorious criminal was roaming the street. If he had served his time, then of course he is roaming the streets. You can’t hold someone because you think they might commit a crime in the future.There are lots Of things that need to be fixed in our society, including with our police/military, but here, they did nothing wrong.