By George M.O. WilliamS
The Renaissance Movement Sierra Leone, a citizens-led movement committed to promoting democratic governance, has welcomed the timely review of the 1964 Police Act.
The organisation commends the Law Reform Commission for initiating this critical process.
The 1964 Police Act, which has governed the operations of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) for decades, is outdated and insufficient to address modern societal expectations and the principles of democratic governance. The Act, originally shaped by colonial governance, fails to encompass current challenges such as balancing security with civil liberties, promoting transparency in police-community relations, and integrating technology in policing.
The Renaissance Movement Sierra Leone said that as Sierra Leone strengthens its democratic institutions, it is essential that the legal framework guiding the police is modernized to reflect evolving societal norms. “This includes robust oversight mechanisms, transparent recruitment and promotion processes, clear guidelines on the use of force, and the safeguarding of human rights for all citizens. The revision of the Police Act is vital to enhancing public trust and ensuring the SLP functions as a rights-respecting, service-oriented institution.”
In light of the above, the Renaissance Movement submits the following recommendations to the Law Reform Commission:
Recommendations
“1. Strengthening Civilian Oversight and Accountability
a) The new Act should enhance the authority of the Independent Police Complaints Board (IPCB) by expanding its mandate to cover a broader range of complaints and personnel, including senior police ranks.
b) The IPCB’s capacity must be strengthened, with adequate resources and legal backing to ensure it can independently investigate complaints, recommend disciplinary action, and publicly report on its findings.
c) The scope of civilian oversight should include monitoring police misconduct and ensuring that complaints from citizens are resolved in a timely and transparent manner.
2. Democratic Policing Principles
a) Embed democratic policing principles in the new Act to ensure that the SLP operates within the confines of the rule of law, upholding human dignity and public accountability.
b) Police actions must be justified, necessary, and proportionate, with clear legal mandates limiting arbitrary intrusions into citizens’ lives.
3. Internal Governance and Accountability within the SLP
a) Establish transparent and accountable procedures for the recruitment, promotion, transfer, and rewarding of police officers. These processes should be merit-based, free from political interference, and subject to public scrutiny.
b) Mandatory training programs should be introduced for officers of certain ranks, particularly in areas like human rights, democratic policing principles, and community engagement. This will ensure that senior officers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to lead a modern police force.
4. Community Engagement and Policy Formulation
a) Facilitate continuous engagement between the SLP and the communities they serve, enabling the development of policies that reflect the needs and concerns of the public.
b) The police should adopt transparent policy formulation processes, incorporating public input to ensure that policing strategies align with community expectations.
5. Transparent Rules and Policies
a) Police actions must be governed by transparent rules and policies that are accessible to the public. These should be developed in consultation with diverse community stakeholders.
6. Metrics of Success and Community Trust
a) Broaden metrics of police success to include factors such as community trust, public satisfaction, and perceptions of safety.
b) Regular public reporting on these metrics should be mandated to promote transparency and build trust between the police and the communities they serve.
7. Adherence to Regional and International Conventions and Treaties
a) The SLP must comply with all regional and international conventions and treaties to which Sierra Leone is a party, particularly those related to human rights and policing standards.
b) The right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as enshrined in international law, must be upheld, with the police playing a facilitative role in protecting peaceful protestors.
8. Protection of Rights and Peaceful Protest
a) The police must balance their duty to protect life and property with the responsibility to uphold citizens’ right to peaceful protest.
b) The SLP must safeguard participants from violence and intimidation during assemblies, respecting the fundamental right to gather and express views publicly.”
The Renaissance Movement Sierra Leone said that revising the 1964 Police Act presents a critical opportunity to align the Sierra Leone Police with modern democratic principles and international human rights standards. It said that a new, comprehensive legal framework will enable the SLP to function as a transparent, accountable, and community-oriented institution, fostering greater public trust and cooperation.
“We firmly believe that these recommendations—strengthening oversight, enhancing internal governance, refining recruitment processes, and promoting human rights—will help create a police force that serves the people with integrity, fairness, and professionalism. The Renaissance Movement remains committed to supporting this reform process and looks forward to continued engagement with the Commission.”
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