HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE SIERRA LEONE POLICE FORCE

 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE SIERRA LEONE POLICE FORCE
INTRODUCTION
The art and science of policing have been perceived differently by different sociologists. This variance in perceptions has warranted various definitions.  For some social theorists, the term `Police` connotes a group of people employed to investigate crime. A critical examination of this definition gives the reader (s) an insight into the duties and functions of the Police. Modern policing demands a broader definition. Hence, `Police` can now be defined as `an organised group of people employed, trained and charged with the following responsibilities:
•    Maintaining law and order
•    Preventing and detecting crime
•    Enforcing law
•    Regulating traffic flow of vehicles and pedestrians
•    Investigating crimes and prosecuting offenders
•    Ensuring the safety and security of the people
•    Protecting life and property
•    Apprehending offenders

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SIERRA LEONE POLICE
The Sierra Leone Police Force is the brainchild of the British Government. Its inception dates back to 1808 when Freetown was declared a British Crown Colony. In the absence of any formal organised body to keep the peace, some retired British Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates were appointed by Magistrates to come to Sierra Leone to maintain law and order.
Between 1863 -1888, the then Police Force had metamorphosed in order to address the ugly incidents which were rearing their heads especially during the 1881 Koya and 1888 Sherbro disturbances. These disturbances led to the deployment of Police along the frontier. In 1889, therefore, the Police Force was divided – Military and Frontier duties were taken over by the FRONTIER POLICE, while Civilian duties were left with the Civilian Police. The Frontier Police subsequently became known as the COURT MESSENGER FORCE, and were made responsible for the PROTECTORATE while the Civilian Police were made responsible for the colony.
On the 27th October, 1894, in the Royal Gazette of that date, the Civilian Police in the Colony were given the designation `The Sierra Leone Police Force` – (SLPF), which has remained unchanged to this day. Captain V.F. LAPHAN was seconded from the Army to control the Police Force, with the rank of Superintendent, and Mr. BROOKS, a Metropolitan Police Officer, was appointed Inspector of Police to assist him. He eventually succeeded Captain Laphan as the Superintendent of Police. In 1909, Superintendent Brooks was appointed the first Commissioner of Police. It was during his tenure of office that the first Police Band was formed out of subscriptions made by members of the Force and Local firms for the purchase of the instruments, although the band was dissolved in 1913 as a result of a dispute. No real significant strides took place in the Force until MR. C.H. WARD, (O.B.E.), Superintendent of Police from Nigeria, took over command of the Force as Commissioner of Police from Captain P.T. BRODIE, (D.S.O.,M.C) in 1943. The strength of the Force was 300, including two (2) expatriates, the Commissioner and the Assistant Commissioner. Africans filled the rest of the ranks. The serious civil disturbances led to the quick introduction of the RIOT SQUAD which was subsequently trained to contain further riots. MR. WARD raised the strength to 600 and this created a welcome and overdue increase in promotion chances. For the first time, Africans were promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and fleet of vehicles comprising cars, Lorries, motor cycles and bicycles were obtained. He started the first proper Training School at Port Loko in 1944, which was later transferred to the Naval Camp at Hastings; where it stands to this day. He also started and got going the present Police Band; introduced a Pigeon Communication System between Police detachments and eventually replaced this by a Police Wireless Communication System which today covers the whole country.
MR. WARD was succeeded by J.P.I FORDE who raised the strength to 1,000, sent the first African Sub-Inspector to train at Henden; which continued thenceforth. He introduced the first proper FORCE STANDING ORDERS (F.S.O.) the Police FEDERATION AND POLICE COUNCIL.
In 1952, MR. W.G. SYER (C.B.E.) took over and wasted no time in taking policing to the provinces which resulted in its expansion. He affiliated the Police Force to International Police Organisation (INTERPOL) and disbanded the RIOT SQUAD, thereby introducing a system in which every Police Officer was taught riot duties no matter what section of the Force he may be attached to.
Between 1963 -1969, MR. L.W. LEIGH became the first Sierra Leone Commissioner of Police. Under his leadership, a POLICE ACT was established in 1964; which was meant to consolidate and amend the laws relating to the Sierra Leone Police Force i.e. the protection of life and property, the prevention and detection of crime and the apprehension of offenders etc.
Between 1969 and 1972, MR. JENKINS N.E.G. SMITH became the second Sierra Leonean Commissioner of Police who led the Force through Republic in 1971. In 1970, in order to consolidate his power, late President Siaka Probyn Stevens created another arm of the Sierra Leone Police Force known as Internal Security Unit (I.S.U.). The ISU later came to be known as the Special Security Division (SSD) - an armed unit mandated to quell riots and other related disturbances. However, before this time, the Sierra Leone Police Force had been playing a neutral role in the performance of their duties thereby gaining credit from the civil populace.
Politics started creeping into Police functions when Sierra Leone entered into Republican Status. The uniform at that time consisted of grey shorts and grey jacket with black shoes and commerband. Section 174 of the Sierra Leone Constitution of 1978 changed the traditional role of the Force by the appointment of the then Commissioner of Police, MR. P.C. KAETU-SMITH (1973 – 1979) as one of the seven (7) appointed Members of Parliament by the Executive President; thus politicising the role of the Police Force.
Between 1981 and 1984, Honourable P. C. Kaetu Smith was succeeded by Hon. J.A. GRANT
In 1986, Hon P.M. JOHNSON became the first Inspector General of Police. On the 1st of January, 1987, the Force was re-divisionalized into Police Divisions, each division being represented by letters ranging from `A` to `N` and each division commanded by a Chief Police Officer (CPO). These were further sub-divided into Police Districts and placed under the command of an Officer Commanding Districts (O/C) who may be a Deputy Superintendent of Police or Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). The entire country was divided into fourteen (14) Divisions. The Western Area was divided into four Divisions, namely A, B, C and D Divisions. The Northern Province was also divided into four (4) Divisions namely E, F, G and H Divisions; Southern Province three (3) divisions – I, J. and K Divisions and Eastern Province, three (3) Divisions – L, M and N Divisions.

In 1987, Hon. James Bambay Kamara succeeded MR. P.M. JOHNSON. In December, 1991, in a bid to redeem the good image of the Sierra Leone Police Force which had been seriously dented by politics, the British Government sent Mr. KEITH LEWIS, a retired British Superintendent of Police to restructure the Force. Series of Police courses were then introduced into the curriculum in order to enhance the force in policing a modern democratic society. Training courses like Junior and Senior Management Courses, Trainers Course, Criminal Investigations Department Course known as the YOKKSHIRE Course; to name but few, were introduced. These Courses actually went a long way to restructure the Police.

However, this invaluable training programmes for Police were interrupted by the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC) Coup of 29th April, 1992; during which, the then Inspector-General of Police, Mr. James Bambay Kamara, who had increasingly become unpopular, was executed. This political interregnum by the NPRC Junta saw the manipulation of the Police by the Junta. Thus Police was caught in a dilemma; trying to maintain its role to its people and at the same time satisfying the Junta. Police then became a `Force in Crisis`; until the emergence of the democratically elected Government of Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in 1996.
Mr Joe Stanley, who was Deputy Inspector General under Hon. James Bambay Kamara, was appointed Inspector General by the Military Junta in 1992. He later went on leave and never returned to continue on his assignment.
Mr. Walter O. F. Nicol succeeded Mr. Joe Stanley as Inspector General in 1993.
Between 1994 and 1996, Mr William J. Siaffa, a retired officer, was recalled to assume the post of Inspector General under the Junta. His Deputy, Mr. Teddy Munda Williams succeeded him as Inspector General in 1996. He served in that capacity up to 1997 when the democratically elected government of Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah was overthrown on 25th May, 1997. He later went abroad and never returned to continue his job as Inspector General.
All through the Military Regime of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council [AFRC], Mr. Kandeh Bangura took interim control of the Force; with the view to maintaining the structures of the Police intact. Mr. Kandeh Bangura served in that tentative capacity up to 1999 when Mr Keith Biddle was appointed the Inspector General by the Government of Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah.
By this time, the public who regarded the Police as being corrupt completely lost confidence in the Force. The Government of Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah therefore solicited the services of the British Government to help restructure the Sierra Leone Police Force. The British Government responded by sending a Team known as the Commonwealth Police Development Task Force (CPDTF) which was headed by  Mr. KEITH BIDDLE, who was later appointed Inspector General.
Under the dynamic leadership of the British born Inspector General of Police, the Sierra Leone Police Force gradually regained the confidence of the public by the introduction of a Change Management Strategy` under what he called the `restructuring programme`. The purpose was to make the Force become `A Force for Good`. The Restructuring Programme saw the establishment of new Departments like: the Complaint Discipline and Internal Investigations Department [CDIID], Media and Public Relations, Family support, Corporate Services, Community Relations and Local Needs Policing introduced; among others. He also adopted a `Leaner and Fitter` rank structure which reflects roles and responsibilities. 
Mr. Brima Acha Kamara, who was in-charge of the Change Management, succeeded Mr. Keith Biddle as Inspector General of Police in May 2003. Since he was responsible for Change Management during the tenure of office of Mr. Keith Biddle, he took the opportunity to actualise the formulated Sierra Leone Police Strategic Development Plan of 2002/2005. It was during his tenure of office that the following senior ranks: Assistant Commissioner, Senior Assistant Commissioner and Commissioner, were merged as one to become Assistant Inspector General [AIG]. He came with the slogan – ``No Turning Back`` to the bad old days.
In August 2010, Mr. Francis Alieu Munu and Mr. Richard Moigbe were appointed Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General of Police respectively. Their appointments were really greeted with jubilation. The present management under Mr. Francis Alieu Munu has started effecting some administrative and operational changes in the Force. Ross Road Division has been renamed Harbour Division, Transnational Organised Crime Unit [TOCU] has been formed to address cross border crimes, Corporate Affairs and Community Affairs Departments have also been established to address emerging issues, Special Assistant to the Inspector General appointed to address administrative issues at Police Head quarters and the Assistant Inspectors General are now Directors. The Force is presently blessed with a visionary leadership that value its people and personnel.

Culled

CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE

Mariama and Ndemowoma 

My prospective better half and I went seeing Mama in the far interior of my fatherland - Moimandu, a small township in Bandajuma-Yawei Chiefdom, Kailahun district in a Forested Eastern Region of Sierra Leone. It was a wonderful experience for the both of us especially her, a first time visitor. She said, in a feverish mood, 'your home is cooler'. Probably it's because of the thick rainforest. 

She spent most of her time around Mama. Either discussing me or some other village stuff, maybe the latter. I guess she would like it there. She commended my people for their simplicity. 

On the other hand, I helped cut fire wood, hunt for wide fruits and some kola nuts. I occasionally fetched water when the kids weren't around to have done so. I also helped my older sibling harvest cocoa bean. 

Cocoa bean or simply cocoa, is the dried and fully fermented seed of Theobroma cacao, from which cocoa solids can be extracted. It's believed that ocoa beans are the basis of chocolate. Cocoa is one of the main cash crops produced in Sierra Leone, and it's predominantly grown in the Eastern Province - Kailahun and Kenema to be specific. This amongst other cash crops produced, plus the diamond mining in that region made it to be known as the bread basket of the country. 

On new year's eve, myself, my younger brother and one of my older brothers' wife Hawa went on a usual traditional door-to-door singing and dancing. Woke people up just to wish them 'A Happy New Year'. In turn, they gave us tokens of appreciation. It was full of fun. Had lots fresh palm-drink. 

Sofar, my Mum and her kinsmen and my other siblings are all doing great. 

At a wedding with colleagues.

Yes! My colleagues are getting wedded. I will be next in the roll. Lord I thank thee.

"LIKE JACASSA LIKE SIERRA LEONE!"

Photo credits 

"LIKE JACASSA LIKE SIERRA LEONE!"

By: Ndemowoma Yankuba Mustapha

Just finished reading one of the most intriguing books ~ "Harvest of Corruption", Written by a Nigerian playwright Frank Ogodo Ogbeche from Yala in Cross River State, Nigeria.

Harvest of Corruption is centred on the venal acts of public servants in a country called Jacassa. The principal public servant in the play is Chief Haladu Ade Amaka, the minister of external relations. He is corrupt and unpatriotic. He is an exploit of the state by robbing her blind in an act referred to as "Pen-robbery.  He has aids, such as the police commissioner who serves at the police headquarters inn Darkin; Justice Odili, Ochuole who organizes girls for him, including those who bear cocaine for him; Aloho a girl who has just been offered a job in chief's office as a protocol officer; Madam Hoha whose restaurant/hotel is a haven for criminal activities under the guise of a beer parlour and the Defence Counsel who fought hard to defend the corrupt chief. 

The major themes running across the play are #CORRUPTION and #UNEMPLOYMENT. Like Sierra Leone, the  playwright, Frank Ogodo Ogbeche shows how corruption permeates government institutions and every aspect of the society as well as the devastating effect it has on our everyday life. All through the play, the prevalent issue is corruption. He seems to pass this play as a commentary on this anomaly. Everywhere you turn, in Jacassa, you see corruption, even in places you least expect. With Chief Ade-Amaka at the forefront of this evil, stealing, fornicating and abusing public office at will, Ogodo-Ogbeche seems to wonder why corruption is always thought to be only stealing of public funds. Aloho's gullibility and desperation, Ochuole's mistress role to Chief, Madam Hoha's role, as well as Justice Odili's, the Police Commissioner's extortion of Chief and even Ayo's request for bribe, all point to the fact that corruption is not limited to those at the helm of affairs. It permeates every facet of life of the people who sow it. Just as in the play, public officers in Nigeria have almost always culturalized corruption, with a single individual, a chief of staff to be precise, stealing a mind boggling sum of $2.1b meant for arms purchase.

Unfortunately, many job seekers have lost their dignity because of their desperate attempt to be gainfully employed. Hence, the theme, unemployment. But can we blame them? How can it be justified that after rigorous school life, one spends two to three years still job hunting? No wonder, jobless graduates are quick to succumb to societal pressure; they engage in any form of activities in the name of job insofar something comes out of it. Aloho and Ochuole are victims of this terrible situation in Jacassa. Consequently, one dies and the other is sentenced to jail. 

This has led to a situation where our young brothers and sisters are seen illegally fleeing to first world countries in search of better conditions and services. And until this anomaly is entirely contained, our country will continue to be classified among the least developed countries in the world.

PLOT

The play opens with Aloho in the Ministry of External Relations of Jacassan for job in search for a job.  There she meets Ochuole, a notorious old school mate of hers who happens to be the Chief Administrative Officer at the Ministry of External Relations and she promises to help her secure a job.

She gets home with excitement and tells her friend Ogeyi the story of how she meets Ochuole. Ogeyi warns her to be careful with Ochuole, knowing that she is a bad influence. She gives instances of the innocent ones that have lost their lives, trying to subscribe to Ochuole’s style of Living. But Aloho would not heed Ogeyi’s warning.

Ochuole helps Aloho secure a job as a protocol officer to Chief Ade Haladu-Amaka after speaking with him. Ochuole and Chief agree to use the Aloho to push drugs within and outside Nigeria. They suddenly arrange her first trip to America, and give a package containing hard drugs to deliver. She gets caught and arrested at the airport by drug law enforcement officers.

Chief bribes the chief justice in charge of the case and the police commissioner in order to perverse the court’s injunction on the case. Aloho, realizes the nature of her new job and quits. She discovers that she is pregnant for Chief and makes futile to abort the baby. Ogeyi advises her to go back home to her parents for proper care. Eventually, she is delivered of a baby girl but she dies in the process.

ACP Yakubu, a just assistant commissioner of police decides to secretly investigate ChiefHaladu Ade-Amaka and Ayo, a clerk in the office of the Chief provides information to the assistant commissioner and Ogeyi seeks justice by reporting Chief to the police, which further implicates Ochuole, Madam Hoha, commissioner, and others. They are arrested and persecuted and Justice prevails.

SETTING OF THE PLAY

The play is set in Jabu, a fictional Nigerian city. The action takes place in different locations like: Ogeyi’s apartment in Pannya, Madam Hoha’s hotel at Darkin, Police Headquarters at Darkin, Ministry of External Relations in Maisama, and the CourtRoom.

MAJOR CHARACTERS

Aloho

She is the main character in the play, a young and native university graduates desperately searching for a job. In her desperation, she ignorantly becomes part of a criminal network involved in drug trafficking in spite of her friend’s constant warning to keep away from notorious Ochuole. Aloho is arrested and detained for drug trafficking. Upon her release, she suddenly realizes that she is pregnant for Chief Haladu- Amaka and eventually dies during child-birth. The author uses Aloho’s character to portray the ordeals of many young and jobless Nigerian graduates, how they are easily taken advantage of and lured into crime in their desperation to get a job.

Ochuole

Ochuole is Aloho’s classmate in the University. She is portrayed as notorious and wayward. Ochuole works as Chief Administrative Officer at the Ministry of External Relations. She aids Chief’s sexually immoral lifestyle by providing him with ladies. She lures Aloho into drug trafficking in the guise of helping her to secure a job with the Ministry of External Relations.

Chief Ade Haladu-Amaka

He is the Minister of External Relations and the epitome of corruption in the play. He is the ringleader of a criminal network of drug peddlers. He engages in bribery, large scale embezzlement of public funds,sexual immorality and fraud. His character is ironical. As a Minister of External Relations, he is supposed to promote his country’s image in the comity of nations. On the contrary, Chief Haladu- Amaka through his many vices portrayed his country in a bad light.

Ogeyi

Ogeyi is Aloho’s friend and confidant. Aloho lives with Ogeyi in her small apartment in Pannya. She tries to discourage Aloho from taking Ochuole’s job offer and warns her to keep away from Ochuole. She seeks justice for Aloho by reporting Chief to the police. She is the voice of reason in the play.

Madam Hoha

Madam Hoha is the Manager of Akpara Hotel. The hotel where Chief perpetuates his criminal activities.She is sentenced to ten years imprisonment with hard labour along with Ochuole and her hotel was sealed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Frank Ogodo Ogbeche is from Yala in Cross River State, Nigeria. He studied Communication Arts and currently works as a Senior Council Affairs Officer in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He is a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). He has written a number of plays and poems including 'The Intruder and the Promises of the Gods'.

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SALLIEU TEJAN-JALLOH, MANAGING EDITOR OF THE TIMES SIERRA LEONE NEWSPAPER MAY FACE LIBEL LAW!!

Journalist Sallieu Tejan-Jalloh (photo credit) 

SALLIEU TEJAN-JALLOH, MANAGING EDITOR OF THE TIMES SIERRA LEONE NEWSPAPER MAY FACE LIBEL LAW!! 

By: Ndemowoma Yankuba Mustapha. 

Sallieu Tejan-Jalloh, Managing Editor of The Times Sierra Leone Newspaper may face libel law. This is exactly the speculation that is making the rounds among many Sierra Leoneans regarding his refusal to present evidence of alleging that a total of US$1.5M was paid into the Chief Minister, Professor David J. Francis' Ecobank account as bribes, to the Anti-Corruption Commission. 

In an electronically signed press release by the Director, Ministerial and Cabinet, the allegation is termed as nefarious. Adding that the allegation of the payment of US$1.5 million to a private account owned by Professor David J. Francis is not only false but a calculated attempt to smear his image and reputation. 

The Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq, while acting in consonance with Section 7(1)(b) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008, which mandates the Commission “to investigate instances of alleged or suspected corruption referred to it by any person or authority or which has come to its attention, whether by complaint or otherwise," he accordingly contacted Mr. Jalloh to help with information to aid an investigation. But unfortunately, the Commissioner said, the Managing Editor refused to comply with the request of the Commissioner. Many citizens have viewed his refusal to comply with the Commission as a violation of the provision of the right to access information Act, 2003. 

According to the Act, Subsection (2) of Section 2 of The Right To Access Information Act, 2003 states thus, 'Every person has the right to access information held by or is under the control of a private body where that information is necessary for the enforcement or protection of any right'. 

Ecobank has clarified that “Professor David John Francis does not maintain any account with the Bank.” Yet, Ecobank maintained that Professor Francis has an Ecobank CashXpress pre-paid card since August 2019. The said card, according to Ecobank, denominated only in Leones, can be issued to both Ecobank account holders and non-account holders. The investigations also revealed that since he was issued this card, Professor Francis never loaded the said card with cash; and therefore never used it.

SL Mining confirms that such a payment does not exist. Reiterating that it has always complied and continues to comply with all laws, both local or international, and with SL Mining’s own strict anti-bribery and other policies.

However, since there's no evidence so far put forward to substantiate  the claim of the Managing Editor of the Times Sierra Leone Newspaper, and at the same time, the Anti-Corruption Commission does not have jurisdiction over blackmails, it is rumored among many Sierra Leoneans that the Professor  might press for redress in a court of law to clean up his reputation as it has already been smeared. 

According to The Public Order Act, 1965, defamation of character is libelous as entrenched in sections 26 and 27 respectively. Section 26. 'Any person who maliciously publishes any defamatory matter shall be guilty of an offence called libel and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding seven hundred leones or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment'. Also in Section 27. 'Any person who maliciously publishes any defamatory matter shall be guilty of an offence called libel and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding seven hundred leones or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment'. 

Another school of thought is of the opinion that the Chief Minister may not press for charges as part of his New Direction government campaign promises was to repeal the seditious criminal libel law from the Public Order Act, 1965. But again, one may argue that, though moves have been made by government to repeal such clause from the act, it still remains in force until it goes through the corridors of the Sierra Leone House of Parliament. 

What however, is not clear to this medium is the reason for his denial to reveal his source of information or better still, his evidence to the institution in charge of probing into corruption and corruption related issues in Sierra Leone - The Anti-Corruption Commission. 

It could be recalled that allegations have been making the rounds on social media alleging that a total of US$1.5M was paid into the Chief Minister, Professor David J. Francis' Ecobank account as bribes, An allegation to which he denied. Describing as false and a calculated attempt to smear his image and reputation. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA #RWC2019

🎶Shosholoza🎶 shosholoza 🎵 

🎵ku lezontaba🎤 

🎶🎵stimela sipume 

🎷🎵#South_Africa🎼👏 

Congratulations 🎊 to the people of South. 

FIRST LADY'S SOCIAL MOBILIZATION ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Bintumani Hotel, Freetown, Friday 14 December 2018 – His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has officially launched the ‘Hands Off Our Girls’ flagship programme of First Lady Fatima Bio, with the theme: “Ending Child Marriage and Reducing Teenage Pregnancy to Empower Women”

A video showing a social Mobilization the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone embarked on across the country. Voice over by a Mende traditional singer - name unknown.