By Yusufu S. Bangura
UNDP Gender and Inclusion Specialist & Lead Facilitator
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) concluded a two-day workshop on December 11th, 2024, aimed at equipping Sierra Leone Police officers with the skills necessary for the transition from a traditional Police Force to a more community-centered Police Service.
The workshop, held at Sierra Palms Hotel in Freetown, focused on enhancing strategic communication to foster a stronger connection between the police and the citizens they serve.
Ilemobola Ademola-Adelehin, UNDP’s Gender and Inclusion Specialist and Lead Facilitator, thanked the Inspector General of Sierra Leone Police, William Fayia Sellu, for his leadership in partnering with UNDP to strengthen the capacity of the Sierra Leone Police.
The collaboration is part of UNDP’s broader development agenda for Sierra Leone, aligned with the government’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024-2030. Ademola-Adelehin emphasized that such partnerships are crucial in improving security service delivery and facilitating the country’s overall developmental goals.
She praised the visionary leadership of the Sierra Leone Police and the pivotal role played by the Inspector General in this transition.
Ademola-Adelehin also expressed anticipation for further collaboration in the coming years, particularly in enhancing the professional, operational, and institutional capacities of the police to better serve communities in line with international standards.
“We are looking forward to a Police Service that is more accountable, trusted, and deeply engaged with its citizens,” she said, noting that the Sierra Leone Police’s new Strategic Development Plan (2025-2030) clearly outlines the steps for transforming the force into a service.
That, she added, would align the police with the country’s development agenda and ensure they are better equipped to deliver community-centered security.
The workshop featured presentations by Dr. Victor Massaquio, who led a session on “Messaging for Police Service.” He emphasized the importance of crafting specific, clear messages for both internal and external communication.
He explained that effective message development requires strategic planning, research, and refinement, encouraging police officers to communicate key messages within 30 seconds. Dr. Massaquio highlighted that the new police service should prioritize community-oriented policing, professionalism, integrity, and trust, urging officers to maintain high standards at all times.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Chief Inspector Paul Hassan Turay, Regional Media Officer for the North-West Region, expressed the significance of the training in the context of the police’s transition.
He explained that the move towards a service-oriented model focuses on engaging community stakeholders and fostering a relationship where the police serve, rather than command, the public. He also mentioned efforts to inform local communities about the upcoming transition.
Chief Superintendent of Police, Dolsy Adama Fefegala, also expressed her enthusiasm for the training, stating that it provided valuable insights into the transition process. She emphasized that the knowledge gained will be applied in addressing citizen concerns effectively when they visit police stations to report crimes.
The successful conclusion of this workshop marks an important step towards transforming the Sierra Leone Police into a service that is more accountable, professional, and aligned with the needs of the community.
The continued collaboration between UNDP and the Sierra Leone Police is expected to foster greater trust and cooperation between the police and the public, ultimately supporting the country’s security and development goals.
