‘We want to be seen as partners in development’ – ASP Samuel Sesay

The Regional crime officer, Eastern region Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Samuel S Sesay told Awoko over the weekend at the Kenema police station that the police force in Kenema should be seen as partners in development
He stated that they have engaged in a lot of programs with the community since they are a force that can deliver the goods not only in policing but also in community development.
ASP Samuel S Sesay mentioned that the police offices in Kenema are neutral in the political dispensation in the country.
He explained that the Regional Commander AIG Elizabeth Turay and the local Unit Commander Nabieu have initiated a system of holding fortnightly meetings with all the political parties and this has been very fruitfully because they can now discuss the problems affecting their political parties.
 This particular system he said has brought political tolerance to the region.
He appealed to Sierra Leoneans to look at the police as a ‘Force For Good’ since they are now conducting their duties in a professional manner.
He mentioned that policing in the township of Kenema has brought down the crime rate to almost zero and “we are also actively engaged in sensitizing the community.”
 What has spurred the people on in the community he said was the last visit made by the Inspector General of Police Acha Kamara to the township where he addressed all the zonal heads.
 Among some of the things he told the gathered ASP Sesay revealed was that “security is not a one man business.”
For this reason he disclosed they have created neighborhood watch system where the citizens are actively taking part in the security process.
ASP Samuel Sesay mentioned that for the past week they have not received any major incident only minor ones which they can settle between the people concerned instead of taking such matters to court.
 He later appealed to his colleagues to emulate the good work of some past police officers and the present high ranking ones in the force stating that their leadership is a perfect example and if we can go by their example we can go along with the vision of the Sierra Leone police.