By Emma Black

On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, Madam Peace C. Bakwe, the newly appointed head of the British Police Support Training (BPST) in Sierra Leone, paid a courtesy visit to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. William Fayia Sellu at Police Headquarters in Freetown engagement, which included British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Josephine Gauld.

Madam Bakwe, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police from Nigeria, outlined her visit’s purpose: to discuss the future of peacekeeping support operations under BPST, expressing hope that the dialogue would enhance bilateral cooperation. IGP Sellu warmly welcomed the delegation, acknowledging the United Kingdom’s long-standing support for the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) since its inception, the Sierra Leone Police is a baby of the British government, he noted with gratitude.

Seizing the opportunity, IGP Sellu appealed for additional support, particularly in capacity building, a persistent challenge within the SLP. Reflecting on his three-year tenure, he highlighted his focus on bridging this gap through local and international training opportunities, including programs facilitated by the British government ahead of the 2023 general elections. He advocated for more localized training to benefit a larger number of personnel, stating, We are looking forward to cooperating with our partners to help us move one step ahead.

IGP Sellu also updated the delegation on the SLP’s ongoing transformation from a Force to a Service, drawing inspiration from Ghana’s model. He revealed that a new Police Act, set to replace the 1964 legislation, has been submitted to the Attorney General and will soon reach Parliament, extending an early invitation to Madam Bakwe for the nationwide sensitization campaign once it is enacted. He assured continued openness to discussions on advancing peacekeeping support.

High Commissioner Gauld expressed satisfaction in facilitating the meeting, affirming the British government’s recognition of the SLP’s capacity-building needs. She welcomed the potential for deeper collaboration, emphasizing a shared commitment to strengthening the force. The visit concluded with a group photograph capturing the delegation and IGP Sellu, symbolizing a renewed partnership.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 1st October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)