The Inspector General of Police (IG), Ambrose Michael Sovula, on Tuesday 18th August 2020, disclosed that his administration will ensure that the ranking system of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) is reviewed. I.G. Sovula made this disclosure during a special visit to the Operations Support Division (OSD) at Brookfields in Freetown. Some of the ranks to be brought back include: Corporal, Chief Inspector, Sergeant Major, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of Police, among others. Speaking to hundreds of OSDs, he said a review of the ranking system is crucial to motivating the police and ensuring effectiveness in the discharge of their duties.
“If we are to expand on the job of the police, we must be elevated from time to time,” he said. I.G. Sovula said after consultations with former Inspector Generals of Police, he reached the conclusion that a review of these rankings will have a motivating effect on staff. “Police officers became bored when they are stagnated in some police ranks for many years,” he opined.
He commended the OSD for doing good work and noted that their work is a very difficult one, as they ensure safety for all and sundry. He revealed that plans are underway to equip the police with non-lethal instruments to be used in times of riot.
The I.G. disclosed having completed a procurement process for the purchase of 1,500 police uniforms with full kits. “The uniforms will ensure easy identification of police officers,” he added. He assured that he will serve the people of Sierra Leone and the President without any bias or favour, and called on the police to be loyal in the discharge of their duties and obey the country’s constitution.
OSD Deputy Director of Administration, Superintendent Francis Brima Meinday described the I.G.’s visit as a motivation for them, and thanked him for ensuring that the police force now has leave with pay. However, he revealed that the police needs protective gears in the discharge of their duties, especially during the corona virus pandemic, and pledged to serve the force with diligence and utmost commitment.
By Sulaiman Karim Sesay