The West African Police Information System (WAPIS) which seeks to fight transnational organised crimes nationally, regionally and globally by collecting, storing, and sharing data on criminals, with support from the European Union, has completed a four-day training of twenty eight participants, drawn from the Sierra Leone Police, Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Immigration Department.
At the end of the training the participants were issued with certificates in a certification ceremony which was held on Friday the 23rd of September 2022), at the basement of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). The Inspector General of Police (IGP) – Mr. William Fayia Sellu, representative of the European Union – Mr. Harriet, the Chief Immigration Officer – Mr. Andrew Jayah Kaikai, the INTERPOL/WAPIS Coordinator – Dr. Mohamed Yansanneh, among others were present at the ceremony. The four-day training focused on Data Quality and Data Protection.
Presenting the participants to the IGP, Dr. Yansaneh explained the topics covered during the training and encouraged the participants to make better use of the knowledge gained. He further urged them to transform their knowledge to the benefit of the organisations they represent.
The Chief Immigration Officer, on his part, applauded the European Union for the support and execution of the project. He called for continued collaboration and good working relationship between and among institutions involved in combating transnational organised crimes and terrorism.
The European Union representative among other things said that international crime is a real, dangerous, and is an immediate threat to security. He called for all to put hands on deck in curbing that menace in society. He congratulated the participants and wished them well.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) – Mr. William Fayia Sellu, in his speech firstly appreciated the EU for the supporting the training, and noted that it entailed a blend of local and international principles on the handling of criminal data. He encouraged participants to make better use of the knowledge gained during the training, and to also apply it in the work place so that it causes improvement in their output.
The IGP revealed that the Higher Hierarchy of the Police Force will constantly be monitoring and assessing the output of police personnel who had completed the training throughout their not less than three year stay in the Department.
He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the program; as according to him, WAPIS will always be close to his heart.
Earlier, the Head of the Criminal Investigations Department – R.P.G Roberts welcomed all and sundry to the closing ceremony. The Head of INTERPOL Sierra Leone – Superintendent. Mohamed Sidibay gave the vote of thanks.
The Distribution of certificates to participants climaxed the ceremony.