By Thaimu T Kamara

More than 70 newly recruited Metropolitan Police officers have been deployed across Freetown by the Freetown City Council (FCC) to strengthen the enforcement of city bylaws and improve sanitation, cleanliness and public order.

Residents and visitors may have noticed new uniformed officers at various locations across the capital as they begin carrying out their duties to ensure that the city remains clean, safe and orderly.

According to the Mayor of Freetown, the newly deployed officers have been assigned the responsibility of enforcing the council’s bylaws, particularly those relating to sanitation, waste management and street trading.

The deployment forms part of the council’s efforts to address persistent challenges affecting the cleanliness and general organisation of the city.

The Mayor explained that the Metropolitan Police officers are expected to take action against individuals and businesses found violating established city regulations. These include illegal waste dumping, the use of unapproved waste management service providers and illegal street trading.

She noted that such violations are punishable under the council’s bylaws and could attract fines for offenders.

The enforcement measures are intended to discourage irresponsible behaviour and encourage residents, traders and business operators to take greater responsibility for maintaining a clean and organised urban environment.

Illegal waste disposal remains one of the major challenges facing Freetown, with indiscriminate dumping of rubbish contributing to blocked drainage systems, environmental pollution and unsanitary conditions in several communities.

The council’s renewed enforcement approach is therefore expected to strengthen compliance with sanitation regulations and promote responsible waste disposal practices among residents.

The issue of illegal street trading is also receiving attention as the city continues to experience growing pressure on its public spaces. Unregulated trading activities often contribute to congestion on busy streets, obstruct pedestrian movement and create difficulties for motorists and other road users.

Through the deployment of the new Metropolitan Police officers, the council hopes to improve monitoring and ensure that public spaces are used in accordance with established regulations.

The Mayor emphasised the important role played by the Metropolitan Police in supporting the council’s efforts to maintain a cleaner, safer and more orderly city.

She also called on residents to cooperate with the officers and respect them as they carry out their responsibilities.

According to her, keeping Freetown clean and orderly cannot be achieved through law enforcement alone but requires the active participation of everyone living and doing business in the city.

She urged Freetonians to comply with the council’s bylaws, dispose of their waste responsibly and use approved waste management service providers.

Residents and traders were further encouraged to avoid activities that contribute to environmental pollution, obstruct public spaces or undermine efforts to improve the city’s sanitation standards.

The council’s message is clear: maintaining a clean Freetown is a collective responsibility that requires discipline, cooperation and respect for the laws governing the city.

The deployment of more than 70 Metropolitan Police officers represents an important step in strengthening the Freetown City Council’s enforcement capacity.

However, the effectiveness of the initiative will depend largely on consistent enforcement, public cooperation and the willingness of residents and businesses to comply with the regulations.

As the new officers take up their positions across the capital, the expectation is that their presence will help promote better sanitation practices, discourage illegal activities and contribute to a more organised urban environment.

The Freetown City Council has reiterated that keeping Freetown clean and orderly is a shared responsibility.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 11th November 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)