By Francis H. Murray
The newly appointed Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police, Ambrose Michael Sovula, has assured members of Parliament that his administration would follow a professional path in policing the people of Sierra Leone.
He said his approach to policing the country would be different and that he would ensure that the human rights of citizens were held in utmost reverence.
During questioning by Members of the Appointment Committee in Parliament, Sovula said: “I will look at what was wrong, what was ok and then put up a strategy that will create a reform situation that can make the force better. I would introduce People Centered Policing, in order words, I will engage people rather than coerce them so that we can settle their differences without any hindrance.”
Responding to questions from members of the committee, Sovula told MP’s that he had a track record of professionalism in all the stations he had worked across the country, adding that this will only force him to maintain his credibility.
Sovula has decades of experience in the force. During his service he has led the Traffic Division. He has also worked in the Northern region and, until his appointment, he was in charge of the West End of the capital, Freetown.
During questioning on Thursday, the leader of the National Grand Coalition in Parliament, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, urged Sovula to hold the balance that would guarantee the democracy in the state.
Yumkella asked the new Police chief what would be his approach to peaceful demonstrations, whiles noting the importance of political demonstrations in democracy.
The Sierra Leone Police has a bad history of handling peaceful protests. Just over a week ago, they arrested dozens of students, journalists and activists at a protest over the Limkokwing University.
Sovula in his response stated that it was every citizen’s right to be involved in peaceful demonstrations, but that there were procedures to be followed.
‘‘We have people who look for such opportunities to cause mayhem to innocent citizens who may not be even involved. So we have a procedure which allows them to channel their intentions of any demonstration to the police, who will sit with them and plan what works best so that quality policing would be provided to conduct such peaceful demonstrations without disturbing the peace of society,’’ he said.
Sovula added that his leadership would ensure that morals and standards were adhered to in the execution of their duty as a force.
Leader of the main opposition All Peoples Congress in parliament, Chernor Bah, said the wounds of “police brutality” during the 2018 Parliament speakership election and another incident in 2019 at their party office were still fresh in their minds.
Bah admitted that there were still decent officers in the force and urged the new Police chief to work with them to make the Sierra Leone Police a better force.
Matthew Nyuma, a Sierra Leone Peoples Party lawmaker, also admonished Sovula to curb indiscipline and corruption in the force.
The Police force in the country are notorious for corruption. The force has performed abysmally in many local and international corruption perception surveys.
Sovula said he would clean the force by leading as an example.
Sovula’s appointment was subsequently approved unanimously by on Friday.
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