Kenema Police Partner With Community to Boost Security

Kenema Police Partner With Community to Boost Security

The Sierra Leone Police (SLP), Kenema Division, has launched a fresh initiative to deepen community engagement, holding a strategic meeting with local chiefs and stakeholders at the Plane Field Police Station aimed at bolstering public participation in crime prevention.

The event, which brought together community leaders and law enforcement officials, focused on the core tenets of community policing: building trust, fostering cooperation, and establishing proactive information-sharing channels to curb criminal activity.

Sub-Inspector Brima James Musa, Head of Media and Community Relations for the Eastern Region, opened the session by emphasizing that effective policing relies heavily on the partnership between officers and the communities they serve. He encouraged stakeholders to remain vigilant and work alongside the police to maintain local peace.

Anthony Kamara, Chairman of the Local Policing Partnership Board (LPPB), characterized the engagement as a vital step forward. He urged community leaders to revitalize Community Safety Volunteer structures, warning against the dangers of mob justice. Kamara cited the recent passing of Rev. Father Amadu in the Burma 3 community as a sobering reminder of why collective community involvement in security is essential.

Echoing these sentiments, DASP Foday Tarawallie, the Support Officer for the Kenema Division, outlined the principles of modern policing. "True security is a shared responsibility," Tarawallie noted, highlighting that effective problem-solving and organizational transformation are only possible when the police and the public act in unison.

ASP Alfred Munda Senu, Officer Commanding (OC) of the Plane Field Police Station, expressed gratitude to the participants for their attendance and commitment. He assured residents that his station remains dedicated to professional service and pledged swift, decisive responses to security concerns brought to their attention. He further urged citizens to report suspicious activities promptly to help the station stay ahead of criminal threats.

The initiative received a positive reception from local leadership. Chief Steven of the Burma 3 Community commended the SLP for the engagement, acknowledging the logistical challenges police often face.

The chiefs pledged their continued support, promising to prioritize the revival of Community Safety Volunteer groups and enhance the ongoing collaboration between local authorities and the police force.