By Amin Kef Sesay
In a Public Notice dated 21st August 2020 disseminated by the Sierra Leone Police it was categorically stated that it has come to their notice that some members of the public are in the habit of putting Military/Police camouflage (Uniforms) illegally maintaining that some are using the uniform to impersonate and also cause mischief in society.
It continued that the Management of the SLP is very much concerned about the manufacturing, importation, distribution, possession, selling
and/or wearing of materials bearing semblance to that of uniforms worn by personnel of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) and the SLP within the territory of Sierra Leone.
The Sierra Leone Police asserted that any act of such is a violation of Section 4 and 5 of the (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 1975. It strictly warned members of the public to abstain/desist from such unlawful act saying it is punishable by law. You have been warned.
In another relating development, the Sierra Leone Police disclosed that following series of rumors among personnel of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) on new ranking, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ambrose Michael Sovula has on Tuesday 18 August 2020 disclosed that the force will reverse back to it old system of ranking.
He made that statement while addressing members of the Operational Support Division (OSD) at their National Headquarters on Bath Street on welfare and the ongoing police ranking process.
The IG said the Police have been disadvantage in terms of salary because the reduction of their ranks by the then British Inspector General, Keith Biddle, from 19 to 9 did not take into consideration grading system.
“I have spoken to Keith Biddle and my predecessors on the need to bring the old ranking system,” the IG said noting that the Police will extend its ranking not as exactly as it was but to a compromising stage that will be tied down to the grading system of salary.
He went on to say that the current ranking system makes promotion of officers’ delay and by extension make them bore.
IGP Sovula recalled that he spent 11 years as Corporal and do not want such situation to happen to any of his personnel.
With the new ranking, the Police, he said, will have new promotions every year.
The draft of the new ranking, he said, has been approved by both the Executive Management Board (EMB), the Police Council and is awaiting cabinet and Parliamentary approval to take effect.
Some of the rankings that will be brought back include, Sergeant Major, Chief Inspector, Assistant Commissioner and Commissioner of Police among others.
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