By Musa Aiahson Koroma

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has on June 17, 2026, held a meeting with the Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat (TSCS) in Freetown to discuss reforms aimed at strengthening accountability in policing. The engagement focused on Tripartite Recommendation 75, which calls for the Independent Police Complaints Board (IPCB) to be given a stronger legal mandate through an Act of Parliament.

The discussions highlighted the need to review the IPCB Regulations of 2013 as a step toward transforming the Board into a full commission. This reform is intended to provide the IPCB with wider powers and clearer responsibilities, ensuring that complaints against police officers are handled fairly and transparently.

TSCS Coordinator Mr. Ngolo Katta explained that the meeting was designed to share insights and explore practical steps for implementation. He said the dialogue seeks to strengthen accountability between the IPCB and the Ministry, while examining the Board’s mandate, functions, and powers. “This process will help determine how the IPCB can best be leveraged to drive reforms as quickly as possible,” he noted.

Mr. Katta further outlined the objectives of the engagement, stressing the importance of active dialogue between the IPCB and the Ministry. He said this would ensure mutual accountability, acknowledging the Ministry’s supervisory role, and would help establish a clear path for enacting the reforms recommended by the Tripartite Committee.

Responding to the Secretariat, Minister of Internal Affairs AIG (Rtd.) Morie Lengor Esq reaffirmed the Ministry’s oversight role. He pointed to ongoing engagements with the IPCB on functional reviews and reports, pledging that once due process is completed, the reports will receive cabinet support and approval. “We are committed to completing this process within the agreed timeframe and will maintain regular engagements with IPCB to expedite the reforms,” he said.

The meeting underscored the urgency of strengthening police oversight in Sierra Leone. Both sides agreed that enshrining the IPCB’s mandate in law is critical to building public trust and ensuring effective monitoring of police conduct. The reforms, they noted, are part of wider efforts to improve governance, reinforce accountability, and support national stability.

The Ministry and the TSCS have signaled that police accountability is a priority in Sierra Leone’s broader reform agenda. The outcome of these discussions will determine how quickly the IPCB can transition into a commission capable of addressing complaints and safeguarding citizens’ rights.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 22nd June 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)