By Joseph Momoh
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has taken a major step to strengthen the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) with a specialised training for 40 Family Support Unit (FSU) investigators drawn from across the country.
The one-day capacity-building programme, organised by LAWYERS with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Spotlight Initiative, was held at the Buxton Memorial Hall, Charles Street, in Freetown.
The training was designed to sharpen the skills of investigators in conducting professional, evidence-based and survivor-centred investigations into SGBV and inheritance-related abuse cases.
Participants were taken through critical areas including victim engagement, evidence collection and preservation, interviewing techniques, case preparation and prosecution.
They were also trained on relevant legal frameworks, prosecutorial decision-making, inter-agency collaboration, referral mechanisms, confidentiality and professional accountability.
A key focus of the sessions was the need for investigators to protect the dignity, safety and rights of survivors, while handling cases with impartiality, professionalism and sensitivity.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, the Head of the Family Support Unit, Superintendent Mohamed S. Y. Mansaray, commended LAWYERS and UNDP for their continued support to the SLP.
He described continuous professional development as essential to ensuring that FSU investigators discharge their duties with integrity, compassion and professionalism.
“This training is both timely and essential. Survivors deserve dignity, compassion and professionalism. Every officer has a duty to uphold the law, protect the vulnerable and ensure that justice is served,” Supt. Mansaray stated.
He urged the officers to apply the knowledge and practical skills acquired to improve investigative practices, strengthen case management and provide better support to victims throughout the justice process.
The training comes amid growing concern over SGBV and other forms of abuse in Sierra Leone, particularly against women, girls and other vulnerable groups.
Strengthening the capacity of investigators is seen as crucial to improving access to justice, ensuring accountability and addressing weaknesses in the handling of reported cases.
The initiative also supports the Inspector-General’s Force to Service agenda, which seeks to promote professional, accountable, responsive and people-centred policing.
The Sierra Leone Police, through its Family Support Unit Directorate, reaffirmed its commitment to working with development partners and other institutions to strengthen the response to SGBV and ensure survivors receive appropriate protection and access to justice.
The participating officers were urged to uphold confidentiality, impartiality and respect for survivors’ rights in the discharge of their duties.
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