The festive season is here again, and the Sierra Leone Police wishes to assure the general public about their readiness and the legal responsibilities of the general public to ensure that the yuletide is observed in peace, safety and security. This cannot, however, be achieved without the cooperation of all and sundry.
Therefore, in order to guarantee your own peace, safety and security and that of others, the general public and the nation, the Sierra Leone Police would like you to observe the following:
- It is unlawful for any person or group of persons to sound or play loud music or noisy instrument or shout, sing or make any other loud noise after 10: 00 P.M in communities to the annoyance or disturbance of others (section 13 of the Public Order Act of 1965).
- It is unlawful for any person or group of persons to engage in any street processions or street carnival without the written permission of the Inspector General of Police (Section 14 of the Public Order Act of 1965).
- It is unlawful for any person to fire any gun or throw any firework, rocket or missile to the injury or annoyance of others (Section 6 of the Public Order Act of 1965).
- Saloon bars and other public entertainment venues are reminded that their official hour of closing is 11:00 P.M (Section 27 of Cap 238 of the Liquor Licensing Ordinance). The Police would be obliged to enforce this closing hour where there is reasonable ground to believe that the bars’/entertainments’ operation is an annoyance to others within the community.
However, Police Headquarters (Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General, Director of Operations and Police Regional Commanders) stand ready to receive written requests and to ensure for a fair review of this directive on a case by case basis and on community and public friendly terms that will be time bound.
- It is unlawful for anyone to drive whilst drunk or under the influence of alcohol (Section 102 of the Road Traffic Act of 2007).
- It is unlawful for anyone to drive an unregistered vehicle (Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act of 2007). All vehicles with valid G-Plates or Temporal Vehicle Registration (TVR) should not ply the roads after 6:00 p.m. on all days. Also note that it is punishable by law for using vehicle other than the purpose for which it was registered.
- The moratorium on street joggings is still in force.
- The prohibition on “okada” operations in the Central Business District of Freetown and other prohibited areas across the country is still in force. Okada operation is prohibited after/beyond midnight across the country from the 10th December 2019 to the 10th January 2010 for the safety and security of both okada riders and the general public.
- Mask devils and masquerades are still required to obtain written police clearance from the Inspector General of Police or the Director of Operations.
- Religious bodies and other entities/organisations wishing to engage in street processions are still required by law to obtain written permission from the Inspector General of Police or the Director of Operations (Sec 17 of the Public Order Act of 1965).
Please note that all previous police press releases and public notices still remain in force and not made irrelevant by this public notice but rather reinforces them.
All Operational Police Commanders and the rank and file of the Police Force across the country are under firm instruction to fully enforce the above concerns professionally with confidence
The Inspector General and the rank and file of the Sierra Leone Police wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Yew 2022.
SIGNED:
Dr. Ambrose Michael Sovula
Inspector General of Police
Dated: 8th December, 2021.
Contact Person: Assistant Commissioner of Police Brima Kamara – SLP Head of Media, Public Relations & Sports Department +23277361070.
