Sierra Leone First in Africa for INTERPOL DMT Training
Sierra Leone has achieved a landmark milestone in law enforcement, becoming the first African nation—and third globally after Malta and North Macedonia—to receive specialized Database Management Tool (DMT) training from INTERPOL.
The initiative, designed to enhance technological capabilities and strengthen international police data-sharing, is part of a 15-country global program set for completion by December.
INTERPOL specialists Najwa Hemri and Assistant Commissioner of Police Sheku Bahja-Koroma announced the milestone during a presentation to Inspector General of Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu. The specialists commended IGP Sellu’s leadership as chairman of the West African Police Chiefs’ Organization and recognized his efforts to advance national data protection legislation.
Under IGP Sellu's leadership, the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has expanded West African Police Information System (WAPIS) workstations across all six police regions and selected divisional headquarters while continuously boosting training for officers.
As part of the DMT launch, INTERPOL specialists conducted a two-day workshop in Freetown. The sessions focused on equipping SLP personnel with skills to manage, analyze, and share critical intelligence in support of cross-border investigations.
Expressing gratitude for INTERPOL's ongoing support, IGP Sellu emphasized the importance of modern intelligence tools in combating emerging transnational security threats, particularly the trafficking of small arms and contraband across the Sahel towards coastal countries.
“With Sierra Leone on the WAPIS platform and the continuous capacity-building of our personnel, I am optimistic that Sierra Leone will not be the weak link in the chain,” Sellu stated, highlighting the country's active role in regional and global security networks.
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