Nassal Millicent Kebbie, a Child Protection Specialist and Tsitsi Muvunzi, a consultant of UNICEF have on Friday, 13th January 2023, paid a courtesy call on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. William Fayia Sellu at Police Headquarters, George Streets, in Freetown.
According to Nassal Millicent Kebbie, building the capacity of the entire police on child protection and justice system is their ultimate concern. She noted that before they could carry out such assessment on the Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), they have to know the existing gasp in terms of knowledge, and on how to treat and handle child related matters. She assured that a consultant has been hired to do an assessment on child competency, child protection and justice system on child related matters.
She further revealed that in collaboration with the SLP’s training Department, they have reviewed the training curriculum to ensure that child Protection and Child Justice system are incorporated into the SLP’s training manual in a bid to school Police personnel on child related matters.
She added that the assessment will enable them plan together with the SLP in order to look at the type of training needs to be proffered, noting that after the entire process, a report should be put out.
She also spoke about the diversion policy on minor offenses committed by children adding that such document should be shared with the Defense for Children International (DCI) and the Head of CID so that it would not be inconsistent, rather, it would be in line with the best practices of the SLP.
“Twenty (20) motor bikes are now readily available to be distributed to FSU in order to enhance effective service delivery of personnel” Madam Kebbie affirmed.
In response, the IGP welcomed the team by noting that he is aware about the existing gasp in the FSU.
He lured the consultant into working hand in glove with the Corporate Affairs and the Training Department of the SLP to share their knowledge with personnel especially those who are undergoing training at the Sierra Leone Peacekeeping and Law Enforcement Academy (SILEA).
Mr. Sellu reaffirmed his commitment to help improve the capacity of the SLP and persuaded the team to work with the FSU and other relevant authorities in the SLP.
Similar contributions were made by AIG Memunatu Conteh -Jalloh, noting that a plan to build a Juvenile holding centre at Kissy Police Barracks is underway.
Meanwhile, she pleaded with the team to cascade the training programmers to all personnel, especially on the manner of handling Juvenile offenders while in Police custody. This she said, will be in line with International best practices.