The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Southern Region office has conveyed integrity and professional ethics messages to police personnel of Bo East Division at the Division’s office in Bo City on Thursday 18^th April 2024.     

In her statement, the Local Unit Commander (LUC) of the Bo East Division, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Sia B. Sandi said “integrity and professionalism are the hallmarks of the Police Disciplinary Code 2001 and the Sierra Leone Police will continue to use this regulation in shaping the habits and behaviors of some personnel who take pleasure in doing the wrong thing.”

Speaking at the sensitization meeting, ACC’s Senior Public Education Officer, Abdulai Saccoh acknowledged the positive strides made by the Sierra Leone Police in addressing systems weaknesses and instilling values of integrity in police personnel. Mr. Saccoh furthered that, though the police force is confronted with its own unique challenges, execution of their constitutional mandate should not be compromised, noting that, a number of public sector institutions have lost public trust due to lack of integrity and abdication of their responsibilities. He urged senior personnel to continue to institute the required integrity and accountability measures as the law demands.

Mr. Saccoh catalogued the conscious actions that should be adopted as part of rebranding the image of the police force such as; fair treatment of complaints and suspects, abstinence from soliciting and accepting bribes (especially for bail and traffic offences) appropriate use of discretionary powers, prompt declaration of assets, punctuality at work and proper utilization of public funds and property.

ACC’s Resident Prosecutor Nigel Davies Esq. encouraged the personnel to adhere to laid down procedures and regulations guiding their operations because contravention of such legislations undermines the dispensation of justice. Mr. Davies also emphasized that as law enforcement body it will be an unpardonable act for them to engage in any acts to circumvent the laws. He dilated on a number of offences as contained in Part Four of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 as amended in 2019 such as; Abuse of Office; Abuse of Position; Gift, Offering, Soliciting and Accepting an Advantage, Misappropriation of Public and or Donor Funds or Property. He reminded them of the consequences that await anyone convicted of the aforementioned offences which amount to  a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand (new) Leones or imprisonment for a term not less than five years or suffer both. He therefore called on the police personnel to avoid abuse and violation of the people’s rights especially through the wrong interpretation of certain provisions of the law. 

In his statement, ACC’s Public Education Officer, Mohamed A. Kabba said the meeting was in tandem with the Commission’s strategic approach to share with public sector institutions accountability measures and ethical practices in order to ensure effective service delivery. Mr. Kabba reminded them of their duties in serving humanity which is to protect lives and properties in a dispassionate manner. He said it also the duty of every public officer and institution to fight corruption, as every genuine effort towards the fight matters. He ended by admonishing the officers to put the nation’s interest above all else and to always serve diligently.

The presentation of information, education and communication (IEC) materials formed part of the engagement, whilst the meeting ended with a question-and-answer session.