By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
Out of the many Police personnel that took the African Union/ United Nations Assessment test, 65 female police officers from a total number of 207 (two hundred and seven) Police personnel have so far passed the exercise.
The assessment test was completed on Friday 4th August 2023 and the team lead, Acting Head of Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD) Zinurine Abiodu Algahli submitted the report to the Inspector -General of Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu at his George Street office Police Headquarters, in Freetown.
While submitting the report, Algahli showered praises on the IGP for the supervisory role he played which has led to a successful outcome of the exercise, describing the performance as excellent. He added that the team was well pleased with how fit and prepared the unit was for deployment.
He expressed gratitude to IGP Sellu for presenting disciplined Police Officers who exhibited a high level of professionalism during the pre-deployment verification exercise, adding that the female police personnel were exceptional, very enthusiastic, and they put up a remarkable performance.
The Acting Head of PSOD however pleaded with the IGP to consider a wholesome deployment of the women who successfully went through the exercise, and that those who could not make it to the Formed Police Unit (FPU) deployment, be reconsidered for Individual Police Officers (IPO) deployment as and when the need arises.
“I am highly impressed with the performance of the personnel, the training team, and the Peacekeeping Department," he said.
In response, IGP Sellu thanked the PSOD Acting head and team for all the accolades, noting that the personnel were put together for a very long time and that they were engaged in lots of training, thus keeping them fit for the task ahead.
"I am not surprised as I also used to be around them as a way of motivation," he added.
He promised to work on all the recommendations and suggestions made by the team for the betterment of the organization. He also promised that all the women that made it through the test will be deployed in the Mission theatre.
In an interview with Politico, the Head of Police Media and Public Relations, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Brima Kamara noted that the police personnel that took the test cut across the board, from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), traffic, and the rest, as long as they applied for the training. He said the assessment report means that the police will continue to contribute to international peace and security.
He noted that for other countries to have come to Sierra Leone and helped in fighting the war, it is high time they reciprocated as they have also gone to help other countries in their own conflicts. He said the Sierra Leone Police has been recognized at global level because they have also contributed to International peace and security.
Climaxing the session was presentation and receipt of the Assessment Report.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (07/08/23)
