By Saidu Jalloh, Daily Scope Reporter
Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) celebrated the homecoming of 163 officers who recently concluded their peacekeeping missions in Somalia and South Sudan. The formal welcome event took place at the Officer’s Mess in Kingtom, where 158 personnel from the Formed Police Unit (FPU) and 5 Individual Police Officers (IPOs) were honored for their service under the auspices of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).
Inspector General of Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu addressed the gathering, commending the officers for their dedication and exemplary conduct during their missions. He briefed them on significant developments within the SLP during their absence, particularly the ongoing transformation from a “Force” to a “Service” aimed at enhancing community-oriented policing.
“This transition is not merely structural; it represents a cultural shift towards improved service delivery and public engagement,” IGP Sellu stated, acknowledging the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in facilitating these reforms.
The IGP underscored the value of international partnerships, which continue to provide training and capacity-building opportunities for SLP personnel. He emphasized that peacekeeping deployments not only contribute to global stability but also enrich the professional experience of Sierra Leonean officers.
In his remarks to the returning officers, IGP Sellu encouraged them to leverage their international experiences to strengthen their respective units. He cautioned against post-deployment disengagement, a challenge he noted has affected some personnel in the past.
“Your experiences abroad are invaluable assets. Utilize them to enhance your departments and the SLP as a whole,” he urged.
Representatives of the returning officers expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome and reaffirmed their commitment to the core values of the Sierra Leone Police. The ceremony was attended by senior police officials, family members, and representatives from local and international partners, including the UNDP and various diplomatic missions. This event marks a significant chapter in Sierra Leone’s contributions to global peacekeeping and its efforts to modernize domestic policing through strategic partnerships and enhanced professional exposure.
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