Police Outreach Program Promotes Civic Responsibility and Safety

Police Outreach Program Promotes Civic Responsibility and Safety

The Community Relations Department of the Kenema Division recently conducted a comprehensive educational outreach program for pupils of Holy Rosary Senior Secondary School. The initiative, designed to foster civic responsibility and safety, addressed critical societal issues including gender equality, crime prevention, and the escalating threat of drug abuse.

The event was inaugurated by PC 19878 Musa Kallon of the Media and Community Relations Department. In his opening remarks, Officer Kallon outlined the strategic objectives of the engagement, emphasizing the necessity of proactive sensitization in shaping the conduct of the youth and maintaining local security.

Leading the discussion on social equity, the SLP Gender Focal Person for the Eastern Region, PC 19106 Alice Agatha Nyagua, delivered a detailed presentation on gender mainstreaming. Officer Nyagua underscored the importance of equal opportunity and the eradication of discriminatory practices within educational and professional environments, advocating for a culture of inclusiveness.

Addressing security and civil cooperation, Sergeant Mariama Bockarie, the Eastern Regional Coordinator of the Community Relations Department, highlighted the indispensable role of the public in crime prevention. Sergeant Bockarie asserted that effective law enforcement is predicated on a robust partnership between the police and the community, urging pupils to support safety efforts through the timely reporting of illicit activities.

The program also focused on the legal and health implications of substance abuse. Sergeant Salifu Mansaray, Regional Head of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), provided an overview of the unit’s mandate in combating human trafficking, weapon smuggling, and drug-related offenses. He issued a stern warning regarding the legal penalties associated with drug possession and trafficking, while detailing the destructive impact of narcotics on family structures and individual futures.

The session concluded with an interactive forum where students engaged directly with the officers, demonstrating a firm grasp of the presented topics.

This outreach underscores the Sierra Leone Police’s ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and its broader mission to cultivate a safer, more informed society through direct community engagement.