By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, Sierra Leone – On January 30, 2025, the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) officially launched its Strategic Development Plan (SDP) for 2025-2029 at the Foreign Service Academy, Tower Hill, the SLP Media said in a statement.
This comprehensive roadmap will guide the SLP’s operations over the next four years, emphasizing a shift from traditional law enforcement to a more community-focused service.
In his keynote address, Minister of Internal Affairs Rtd. AIG Morie Lengor (Esq.) praised Inspector General of Police Mr. William Fayia Sellu for his significant achievements in transforming the police force into a more effective and productive institution. He commended the SLP’s participatory approach to law enforcement, which aligns with the goal of becoming a service-oriented organization.
Inspector General Sellu outlined the SDP during his remarks, highlighting its role in the SLP’s transition from a force to a service. He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in developing the plan and reiterated the management’s commitment to community policing. Sellu noted that the SDP’s objectives align with five strategic goals and their respective outcomes. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNFPA, various embassies, and local communities. He encouraged dedicated police officers to persist in maintaining peace and stability throughout the nation.
UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Frederick Hans Ampiah remarked on the organization’s ongoing support for the SLP in upholding security standards across Sierra Leone. He highlighted the central role of policing in national development and expressed satisfaction with the advocacy and partnership initiatives undertaken by the SLP under Sellu’s leadership. Ampiah reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to assisting the SLP in enhancing its effectiveness and productivity.
AIG Esther Mary Kaintor-Dukuray, Director of Corporate Affairs, provided an overview of the SDP’s development process, noting that the plan was crafted using internal expertise with financial support from UNDP.