By Prince J Musa in Kenema
Inspector General of Police, Ambrose Michael Sovula, has told Police officers to be ready to enforce the recommendations of the Government White Paper on the Commissions of Inquiry.
IGP Sovula told Police officers during a visit to the Eastern district of Kenema on Friday, a day after the White paper was released by the government,
“As officers of the Sierra Leone Police we will enforce the White paper recommendations in a professional manner. If government is to succeed to improve the welfare of Police in terms of salary conditions, promotion and other facilities, it will depend on sustainable peace in the country,” Sovula said.
He added: “Don’t trivialize any intelligence that may intend to threaten the peace and stability of this country.”
Last week President Julius Maada Bio unveiled the White Paper and insisted that the recommendations of the document will be followed to the latter.
“Unlike other Commissions, citizens are assured that this Government will fully implement all recommendations,” President Bio said.
Assistant Inspector General of Police, East, Thomas Mustapha Lahai, also committed his men to carefully keep the peace and carry on with the implementation if they are called on.
“As regional commander and team, we will give full support to the government. Anybody in this region that wants to go against the White Paper as proclaimed by H.E, will be handled by the full force of the law,” AIG Lahai said.
The visit was also used by the IGP to motivate officers and build some much needed trust between Police and the community.
“The people of Kenema were angry with police during election period due to the attitudes of few police officers,” he said, adding: “we have moved from the word community policing to needs policing system. The old system of policing, which made people see police as enemy, has gone.”
AIG Lahai said that relationship is something they have been working on through the establishment of a Peace Garden, which is maintained by Police and civilians.
The IGP donated Le5 million towards maintaining the Peace Garden.
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