Independent Police Complaints Board Reports Progress on Police Investigations

The Independent Police Complaints Board (IPCB) has reaffirmed its role as an independent civilian oversight body responsible for investigating serious complaints and incidents involving police officers and strengthening accountability within the Sierra Leone Police.

The Board’s Executive Secretary, Rashid Kabba, who represented Chairman Saa Kpulun, made the disclosure at the Government Weekly Press Conference held at the Miatta Civic Centre on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Kabba explained that the IPCB was established in July 2013 under the Independent Police Complaints Board Regulations, 2013, pursuant to Section 158 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone. Although initially established under the Police Council, the Board now operates independently as a civilian oversight institution, with its creation influenced by the need to align police oversight with broader African human rights and policing standards.

The Board consists of a Chairperson and six members drawn from the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Bar Association, Anti-Corruption Commission, Inter-Religious Council, Police Council, and a retired senior police officer selected by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Its work is carried out through committees including Complaints Handling, Investigations and Communications.

Kabba said the IPCB has two main responsibilities—investigation and oversight. Its investigative mandate includes cases involving deaths in police custody, fatal road accidents involving police vehicles, police shooting incidents resulting in death or involving firearm discharge, and allegations of injury, assault or wounding caused by police officers. It also investigates misconduct allegations involving officers of the rank of Superintendent or higher, while the Inspector-General of Police can refer matters to the Board where an independent investigation is considered to be in the public interest.

Beyond investigations, the Board advises the police on measures to prevent incidents involving officers, receives complaints of possible abuses against civilians and makes recommendations to address identified concerns. Its overall objective is to ensure serious allegations are independently examined, thereby strengthening accountability and public confidence in the police complaints system.

Kabba noted that the IPCB began operating from its own office around 2016 to 2017, further reinforcing its independence. He disclosed that the Board has received more than 90 complaints in 2026, with investigations into over 60 cases completed and action taken.

He further revealed that Cabinet has approved the transformation and expansion of the IPCB into a Commission. The proposed reform is expected to provide the institution with a stronger legal mandate and greater capacity to scrutinise police actions and possible abuses, as part of wider efforts to strengthen police accountability, improve complaints handling and build public confidence in law enforcement institutions