By Sulaiman Jalloh
In a bid to enhance inter-agency cooperation and operational effectiveness, Sierra Leone’s key security actors convened for a joint workshop aimed at improving coordination among law enforcement bodies.
Held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the police wife’s association multi-purpose hall in Kingtom police Barracks, the workshop marked a major milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to build a unified and responsive national security framework.
In his opening remarks, inspector general of police William Fayia Sellu highlighted the historical fragmentation within Sierra Leone’s security structure, where the police and military operated independently, often relaying conflicting information to the presidency.
Historically, our security framework was dominated by the police and the military, yet each reported separately, creating inconsistencies in the information reaching the President, he stated.
IG Sellu emphasized the need for a harmonized security reporting mechanism, noting that the workshop would lay the groundwork for all security agency heads to jointly review and consolidate reports before presenting them to the president, he referenced the establishment of the police-military cooperation (POLMIC) unit in 2010 as a landmark initiative to improve synergy between the two forces.
When the public perceives division within our ranks, it undermines national trust. That’s why POLMIC has been reactivated with newly integrated officers to reinforce this crucial partnership, he said.
The inspector general called for more joint training exercises to foster operational cohesion and build lasting camaraderie among law enforcement agencies.
Unity is our strength. Working together elevates our capacity to defend this nation, he added.
Chief of defence Staff, major general Amara I. Bangura, echoed these sentiments, revealing that similar collaborative workshops are planned across Sierra Leone’s six provincial headquarters. He underscored the importance of shared resources, joint strategies, and mutual respect, togetherness strengthens the bond between our institutions we must see each other as partners, not competitors, the growing collaboration is helping to bridge historic gaps and reduce internal friction, Major General Bangura said.
Speaking on behalf of the office of the National security coordinator (ONS), chief of Staff Mr. Francis Languba Kallie stressed that no single institution can secure the nation alone, freedom from fear and freedom of fear are both critical, true national security is built through unity, mutual trust, and human security principles, he remarked, the joint workshop reaffirmed the collective commitment of Sierra Leone’s security agencies to uphold peace, promote inter-agency trust, and build a resilient and inclusive national security architecture.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 12th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)