The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has joined the international community in commemorating the United Nations International Day of Police Cooperation, with Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, calling for stronger national and international partnerships to confront increasingly sophisticated crimes that transcend borders.
The commemoration was held on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Sierra Leone Bank Complex in Kingtom, Freetown, bringing together senior Government officials, security personnel, international partners, Civil Society Organisations, the media and young people.
The event focused on the themes of protecting vulnerable people, building trust and legitimacy in policing, strengthening partnerships and creating safer communities.
Delivering his welcome address, IGP William Fayia Sellu, said modern security threats require greater cooperation among law-enforcement institutions, communities, Civil Society Organisations and international partners.
He identified cybercrime, human trafficking, illicit trafficking and transnational organized crime as major threats that cannot be effectively tackled by individual countries acting alone.
According to the Police Chief, stronger intelligence and information sharing, digital forensics, cross-border cooperation, advanced training and the use of modern technology are critical to strengthening the capacity of law-enforcement agencies.
IGP William Fayia Sellu reaffirmed the SLP’s commitment to working with regional and international partners to improve professional standards, strengthen community-oriented policing and protect human rights.
He stressed that public trust and legitimacy remain fundamental to effective policing, noting that the Police must continuously engage communities and strengthen relationships with the people they serve.
IGP William Fayia Sellu also welcomed Sierra Leone’s reported ranking as the second most peaceful country in West Africa, seventh in Africa and 54th globally in the 2026 Global Peace Index, describing it as recognition of progress made in maintaining peace and stability.
“By reinforcing our global partnership today, we can secure a safer tomorrow for communities everywhere,” IGP William Fayia Sellu said.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Internal Affairs, Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Morie Lengor Esq., said cooperation between national institutions, communities and international partners is essential to maintaining peace, strengthening security and upholding the rule of law.
Minister Morie Lengor said the commemoration demonstrated Sierra Leone’s commitment to professional, accountable and cooperative policing, while highlighting the importance of protecting vulnerable members of society.
He noted that efforts to build trust and legitimacy in policing complement Sierra Leone’s broader drive to strengthen partnerships for effective policing and safer communities.
The Minister highlighted reforms within the Sierra Leone Police, including the transition from a police force to a police service, improvements in community policing and the ongoing review of the Police Act.
He also pointed to stronger security-sector coordination and expanded training in human rights, investigations, cybercrime and transnational organized crime. Greater attention, he said, is being given to police welfare and increasing women’s participation in policing.
Despite the progress, Minister Morie Lengor acknowledged challenges facing the SLP, including inadequate infrastructure and equipment, difficult working conditions and deficiencies in some detention facilities.
He further identified cybercrime, trafficking, illicit drugs, gender-based violence and economic exploitation as emerging security threats requiring coordinated national and international responses.
Minister Morie Lengor stressed that effective accountability mechanisms, including the Independent Police Complaints Board are crucial to strengthening public confidence and ensuring professional and responsible policing.
He appealed to the United Nations, INTERPOL, ECOWAS, African Union and development partners for sustainable support in training, forensic and digital capabilities, communications, mobility and police infrastructure.
The Minister also called on Government institutions, Civil Society Organisations, traditional and religious leaders, the media and private sector to recognize public safety as a shared responsibility.
Addressing police personnel, he urged officers to remain disciplined, professional, honest, respectful and accountable, stressing that the true measure of effective policing is whether citizens, particularly vulnerable people, feel safe, protected and equally treated under the law.
Other speakers included United Nations Resident Coordinator, Seraphine Wakana; National Security Coordinator Abdulai Caulker; Chairman of the Local Policing Partnership Board for Congo Cross Division, Simeon Bai Sesay; and Civil Society representative, Sao Lamin.
Their contributions underscored the shared responsibility of State institutions, communities and Civil Society in protecting vulnerable groups, promoting peace and strengthening accountability and mutual understanding.
Acting Director of Corporate Affairs, CSP Brima Q. Sesay, also delivered a presentation highlighting key achievements and challenges of the Sierra Leone Police.
He underscored the need for continuous capacity building, adequate resources, institutional support and stronger partnerships to enhance the SLP’s ability to protect communities and strengthen public confidence.
The commemoration culminated in an interactive dialogue involving representatives of the SLP, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Civil Society Organisations, Kids Parliament and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists.
Discussions focused on protecting vulnerable members of society and strengthening trust, transparency, accountability and mutual respect between security institutions and the public.
The event concluded with the Sierra Leone Police reaffirming its commitment to stronger partnerships with Government institutions, security-sector actors, international partners, Civil Society, the media, young people and communities in building a professional, accountable, trusted and people-centred Police Service.
Minister Morie Lengor reaffirmed Government’s commitment to police reform, professionalism, human rights and accountability, describing the commemoration as a “public covenant” to build a Police Service worthy of Sierra Leone’s hard-won peace.
