By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Inspector General (IGP) of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), Ambrose Sovula, has warned the armed unit of the Sierra Leone Police, the Operations Support Division (OSD) to refrain from the use of excessive force in their response to riot and other violent situations.
The IGP made this statement whiles addressing a group of OSDs at their headquarters in Freetown on issues of their welfare and the review of the ranking structure of the force.
“We are trying to get public order equipment for this unit which are not arms and ammunitions, that is not leather weapons, so that you work with very effective and efficient dressing, so that somebody can pelt stones at you without the stones reaching you. The kinds of tools that we use that cannot be bullets,” IGP Sovula said, adding: “If you are well equipped with what the PSU (Police Support Unit) is supposed to get, you will be able to repel and forestall peace and order in any given situation so that if there is need for any other action, that aspect must have been probably exhausted.”
Mr Sovula in his address commended the personnel for their efforts in calming down tensions within the country, noting that the job of the OSD was a difficult one and so they needed the right equipment to be efficient in their service delivery.
He also noted that it was necessary that the force is given the deserved respect needed in terms of addressing their basic needs as it is only then that they can serve diligently.
The police chief went on to note that 15, 000 uniforms, including caps and shoes, were under procurement for the OSDs. This, according to him, will help boost their morale and encourage them do their job diligently.
Many reports from campaigners and the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone have indicted the police for their excessive use of force in restoring order, which has in several instances led to the death of protesters across the country. The most recent incident involving police brutality was in Makeni last month. According latest report from the Human Rights Commission, six people died from that incident, with eight others severely injured.
However, despite criticism from the public, the Police boss believes that his men have been doing a great job in terms of restoring sanity in the country.
“The OSD has done a tremendous job for the people of this country of recent because your swift interventions into crisis, which I cannot list now, have helped for sanity to prevail across the country,” he said.
He however reiterated his appeal for them to be loyal to the people of the country and to use proportional force in crisis.
“Let’s work for the people of this country, let’s be loyal to the people of this country and the constitution and let’s do our work without fear and favour. Use whatever you have proportionately. Meaning, if the threat is not high, don’t use hard leather. Whatever leather used should be in opposite equality with the opposing force that is facing you,” he said.
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