The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) held a ceremony on October 3, 2024, at the Police Wives Association Conference Hall at Kingtom to honour the promotion of 25 officers, including five women, to higher ranks. Among those promoted, six ascended to the rank of Commissioner of Police, nine to Assistant Commissioner of Police, and the remainder were elevated to Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs).
During the ceremony, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who chairs the Police Council, congratulated the officers on their achievements. He acknowledged their dedication and selfless service, emphasizing their critical role in maintaining peace and security in the nation.
“The era of promotions based on favouritism is over,” Dr. Jalloh asserted, stressing that all newly promoted AIGs had completed extensive leadership training and command courses. He reinforced the government’s commitment to a merit-based promotion system aligned with international policing standards.
The Vice President underscored the importance of these promotions as a preparation for future leadership roles within the SLP and on the continental and global stage. He praised the SLP’s focus on community-oriented policing and its strong collaboration with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
Speaking on behalf of President Julius Maada Bio, the Vice President expressed gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr. William Fayia Sellu, for his leadership, thereby ensured a fair selection process for the promoted officers.
In his remarks, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Honourable Moriba S. Koroma commended the SLP’s robust performance under IGP Fayia Sellu and urged the newly promoted officers to rise to the expectations associated with their new ranks.
IGP Fayia Sellu praised the hard work and resilience of the officers, stating, “This is your time to shine; enjoy it.” He encouraged the officers to reaffirm their commitment to serving with integrity and discipline while also extending words of encouragement to those who were not promoted, assuring them that their time would come.
The event included distinguished guests, such as the Chief of Defence Staff of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), the National Security Coordinator, and several retired senior police officers. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from the newly promoted Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mrs. Esther Mary Kaintor-Dukuray.
As the SLP continues to develop, this promotion ceremony represents a significant milestone in fostering a culture of accountability and excellence within the organization.