For the first time since the restructuring of the Sierra Leone Police Force, by British police Officer Keith Biddle the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of the Operational Services Division David Sesay has been transferred to the Southern Region, as the Regional Police Officer South, whilst Desmond Buck, who in charge of the Southern region will be moving to the Northern Region.
Interestingly Chief Superintendent of Police Thomas T. Kamara has been promoted to act as Director of OSD replacing David Sesay. Thomas Kamara has been serving as the Deputy Director of the OSD
Desmond Buck is to replace Christopher John, as AIG north, following the latter’s appointment by the President to serve as Deputy Boss at the Office of National Security.
Confirming the transfers, the Police Media Director, Inspector Ibrahim Samura said, AIG Chris Charlie in charge of Personnel and Welfare is now AIG in charge of Western Area while Tamba P. Gbekie will replace him as AIG in charge of Personnel and Welfare.
AIG SIS Koroma has been transferred from head of the Western Area to head the Professional Standards wing of the Police and
These latest transfers in the Police Force or more fondly referred to as musical chairs is done now and then because the next promotion for any of the AIGs is supposed to be either do because they cannot be moved upwards they are instead rotated periodically around the various departments such then if they ever become DIG or IG they would have had the experience of working in all the different departments, hence the musical chairs.
However over the years AIG David Sesay has never been rotated. Also AIG Crime services Francis Munu has also not been rotated this time around.
Recently, after series of political violence involving the two main political parties, the APC and SLPP, Information and Communication Minister, Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said, people should not be surprised if the President makes some changes in the Police Force.
The Police Media Boss however stressed that, the transfers were not politically motivated and that ‘it is a normal routine. This is a reshuffle within the rank and file of the SLP’, Samura said. The Executive Management Board of the Police Force, Ibrahim Said, normally meets to take decisions, and that, this latest decision came as a result of that.
The transfer of David Sesay is being viewed by many as a surprise since he has served in the capacity as AIG in charge of OSD for a long while without being transferred. The Police Media Boss could not comment whether there were plans to also make changes within the top police leadership.