By Sallieu S. Kanu
On Friday 14th October 2022, a training mission from the Police and Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic concluded a three-day intensive training of the Sierra Leone Police.
The training was made possible through the European Union’s Technical Assistance and Information Exchange (TAIEX) project. The training aims at sharing with the Sierra Leone Police European best practices on responding to disinformation with a full Human Rights and Freedom of Speech approach.
The training brought together over 40 personnel from various units dealing with intelligence and investigation, including the Central Intelligence and Security Unit (CISU), Cyber Unit, Media and Public Relations Department, Integrated Intelligence Service (IIS), Forces Intelligence and Security Unit (FISU), and the Central Intelligence and Security Unit (CISU).
The training which was held from the 12th to the 14th of October, 2022 at the Sierra Leone Police Emergency Call Centre, Kingtom, in Freetown, raised the awareness of the Sierra Leone Police about European best practices on monitoring, analysing and responding to information and disinformation in social media, with a full Human Rights perspective in particular by guaranteeing Freedom of Speech. The training also supported law enforcement officers in developing pro-active and transparent strategic communication.
Speaking at the event marking the end of the training program, the EU Deputy Head ofDelegation, Juan Antonio Frutos, thanked the Sierra Leone Police for its kind support in the preparation and execution of the training program, and commended the efforts and quality of the trainees. He encouraged the trainees to use what they had learnt in their work, with a full Human Rights and Freedom of Speech approach.
“The European Union is committed to continuing to support Sierra Leone’s peace and democracy”, Mr. Frutos said. “Respect for Human Rights and Freedom of Speech are shared values between the European Union and Sierra Leone,” he also emphasized.
Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Sylvester Koroma, Director of Training, who represented the Inspector General of Police, expressed gratitude to the European Union for supporting the training of the Sierra Leone Police at a very crucial time, noting that it would significantly help the police to professionally perform their duties.
The mission is organized in cooperation with the West African Response on Cybersecurity and Fight against Cybercrime (OCWAR-C) project, financed by the European Union and implemented under a Financing Agreement between the EU and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).