By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has dismissed Constable Alie Sankoh after a video of the officer emerged on social media showing him to be under what the Police in a statement said was the influence of drugs and alcohol.
The 4th November,2022, statement from the Police said the video surfaced on social media on Thursday November 3, 2022, and that the SLP’s Management wasted no time but to act swiftly to ascertain not only the veracity of the video, but also the identity of the Police Officer that was portrayed in it.
According to the Police, Sankoh was investigated and arraigned before a disciplinary hearing panel on a five count charge, ranging from being under the influence of drugs and alcohol whilst on duty, to conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline.
Sankoh was said to have pleaded guilty to all the charges levied against him and was subsequently dismissed from the Force, effective 4th November, 2022, in line with the provisions contained in the Police (Discipline) Regulations of 2001.
The sacking of the constable came just days after the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) took similar action against two soldiers who were shown in video footage that went viral, appearing to be inebriated, apparently after taking drugs.
Drugs abuse especially ‘Kush’ has become rampant in the country with social media inundated with videos of mostly young men under the influence, looking dazed and behaving abnormally. The latest footage of serving personnel of the country’s security sector looking disoriented, has sparked public condemnation, and raised concern about the grave dangers posed by the proliferation of particularly kush in the society.
Members of the Sierra Leone Parliament have recently also expressed concern and have asked that the relevant key stakeholders such as the Police leadership and officials of the Drug Agency be brought before Parliament for deliberations regarding the rampant and worrisome drug situation in the country.
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