In a significant step to boost the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery, the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) certified fifty senior police commanders from various regions, divisions, and departments across the country on Friday, August 30, 2024. The commanders completed a week-long course in strategic leadership and management held at the Bintumani Hotel at Aberdeen in Freetown.
During the certification ceremony, Inspector General of Police Mr. William Fayia Sellu expressed confidence that the training had equipped the commanders with valuable skills and knowledge; noting that “these commanders are now better prepared than they were before the course.”
IG Sellu emphasized the primary goal of the course, which, he said, was to enhance the SLP’s operational effectiveness. He underscored the importance of commitment to work from all participants, linking his message to the concept of “making and keeping a promise.”
“When you make a promise and follow through, you embody three key habits of effectiveness: the habit of choice, the habit of vision, and the habit of execution,” he explained. “Making a promise is a choice; the content of that promise represents vision, and keeping that promise is execution.” He cautioned the commanders that their progress would be monitored based on their commitments.
The Chief Executive of the Police urged the commanders to continuously reflect on their promises and to facilitate discussions about them. He also encouraged collaboration with colleagues when addressing challenges within their respective regions, departments, and divisions.
“The SLP requires a win-win situation, not a win-lose scenario,” he asserted. “You can achieve success without undermining others; your happiness should not come at the expense of another’s sorrow. Wishing anything ill for your peers ultimately invites misfortune upon yourself.” Sellu called for an open mindset and an attitude of abundance.
In a message promoting teamwork, he highlighted that “the weakness of one may be the strength of another and vice versa.” He urged the commanders to embrace camaraderie among their teams.
Professor Francis Olugunsakin, Director General of the National Institute of Police Studies (NIPS) and Lead Facilitator of the course, expressed optimism about the commanders’ potential for success, recalling the impressive performances they demonstrated during the training.
Additional remarks were made by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Sahr Yomba Senesie, Director of Training, and Barrister Sulaiman. The program was climaxed with the distribution of certificates to all fifth participants.
