By Emma Black

The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has achieved a historic milestone with the commissioning of its first-ever ultra-modern mortuary at the Police Hospital in Kingtom, on 28 November 2025, the facility was officially unveiled by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. William Fayia Sellu, marking a major advancement in the SLP’s healthcare and welfare services.

Construction of the mortuary began on 14th August 2025, following a groundbreaking ceremony led by IGP Sellu. Now completed, the facility stands as the first fully functional mortuary in the history of the SLP a development the IGP described as “a dream fulfilled.

Delivering his keynote address, IGP Sellu shared the emotional motivation behind the project. He recalled a distressing incident two decades ago, in which the remains of a deceased squad mate were mishandled at the Connaught Hospital mortuary. That experience, he said, left a lasting impact on him.

He made a promise to himself that if he ever became Inspector General of Police, he would ensure that the police hospital had a dignified, well-maintained mortuary for officers and their families.
“Today, that promise has become a reality,” he declared. “Our officers will no longer be subjected to such undignified treatment.”

The IGP commended the Deputy Director of Medical Services and Medical Superintendent, ASP Dr. John Mumuneh Konteh, for his dedication to improving the police health system, including ongoing upgrades to the Senior Police Officers’ Ward. He encouraged police commanders nationwide to emulate such leadership and initiative.
“When you walk in the desert, you leave behind your footprint,” he emphasized.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Konteh expressed gratitude to the IGP for prioritising healthcare within the SLP. He noted that the new mortuary will benefit not only police personnel and their families but also members of the public when required. He also praised the SLP engineers from the Estate Department for completing the project within a remarkably short timeframe.
“For the first time in history, the SLP will boast of having its own mortuary,” he stated proudly.

Chief Medical Examiner, CSP Dr. Simeon Owiss Koroma, also commended the SLP leadership and the hospital’s medical team for their commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure.

The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, the symbolic cutting of the ribbon, and a guided tour of the upgraded hospital facilities marking a new chapter in the transformation of police medical services.

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