B:y Saidu Jalloh
In a significant advancement for law enforcement in Sierra Leone, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. William Fayia Sellu has officially received a shipment of computer equipment from the European Union (EU) in collaboration with Interpol. This vital equipment will establish 100 West Africa Police Information System (WAPIS) workstations throughout the country, significantly enhancing police access to regional and global information.
During the handover ceremony, IGP Sellu underscored the importance of the new equipment in facilitating crime trend analysis and fostering collaboration among law enforcement agencies. He highlighted the increasing criminal activities faced by ten countries along West Africa’s coastline, which necessitated a collective response leading to the establishment of WAPIS following a pivotal meeting in Cotonou, Benin, in 2010. Sierra Leone joined the WAPIS network on January 26, 2022, initially starting with seven workstations, but has since expanded to 21 with the support of INTERPOL and the EU. However, challenges remain, particularly concerning electricity and internet connectivity.
Dr. Mohamed Yansaneh, WAPIS Coordinator and Commissioner of Police, elaborated on the system’s objective to create comprehensive electronic criminal data records for tracking purposes. He urged the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) to fully embrace the system as EU funding concludes in November. The handover included essential equipment such as 100 Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Central Processing Units (CPU), monitors, and scanners, all crucial for the effective operation of the workstations. Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Mrs. Elizabeth Turay expressed gratitude to the donors on behalf of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, advocating for further support to enhance investigative capabilities. This ceremony marks a pivotal milestone in Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to bolster law enforcement and improve public safety through enhanced access to vital information.
