On Thursday September 15, 2022, the European Union Regional Security Officer – Mr. Mario Torre Alvarez paid a courtesy call on the Inspector General of Police – Mr. William Fayia Sellu at Police Headquarters, in Freetown.
Mr. Mario Torre Alvarez was led by the Director of the Integrated Intelligence Service – AIG Thomas Mustapha Lahai, who intimated IGP Fayia Sellu about the rationale for the visit, which, he said, was in relation to the proposed training package, aimed at capacitating personnel of the Integrated Intelligence Service (IIS).
AIG T. M. Lahai stated, among other things, that Mr. Alvarez had been tirelessly working with the Committee, with the view to delivering the training for the Sierra Leone Police.
He furthered that Mr. Mario Torre Alvarez and team were at Police Headquarters to officially inform the IGP that the proposed training of eighty IIS personnel has come to fruition, which, he said, will commence, any time soon.
“The good aspect of the programme is that Mr. Mario Torre Alvarez, a representative from the European Union had consented to assist the Police in this stride, AIG Lahai added.
Mr. Lahai spoke on the importance of the Integrated Intelligence Service and its contribution to effective proactive policing in fighting crime in the SLP. He informed that he did a survey which revealed that there is a knowledge gap within the IIS, for which capacitation is key, to addressing same.
In addition, Mr. Mario Torre Alvarez noted that he was pleased to work with the IGP in delivering the proposed training, which he hoped would serve as an eye opener for future bigger training opportunities in the SLP, both locally and internationally.
Some of the salient issues to be dealt with during the training will include positive use of social media and how to handle misinformation and disinformation.
The Inspector General of Police thanked Mr. Mario and the EU for their support to the SLP; maintaining that the training was coming at the right time, to address the knowledge gap within IIS
“I have engaged lots of meaningful organizations to assist the Police with training needs, so as to develop the capacity of our personnel to deliver on our core functions”, he added.
Mr. Sellu stressed that the SLP will embark on in-service training for personnel, with the view to addressing the training gaps within the Police. Further pleading with Mr. Mario and the European Union to extend similar training opportunities to other departments in the SLP.
