POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY A PRESENTATION BY FRANCIS

POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY A PRESENTATION BY FRANCIS ALIEU MUNU SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF THE SIERRA LEONE POLICE TO THE BAHRAIN MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE EXECUTIVE SYMPOSIUM – OCTOBER 11 TH – 16 TH 2003

Sierra Leone Police Primacy

The Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 ( S. 5. (2) b) “ the security, peace and welfare of the people of Sierra Leone shall be the primary purpose and responsibility of Government, and to this end it shall be the duty of the Armed Forces, the Police, Public Officers and all security agents to protect and safeguard the people of Sierra Leone. “

Historical Perspective • 1787 the ‘Province of Freedom’ founded as a settlement for freed slaves following the famous Lord Mansfield’s decision in 1772 • 1808 Sierra Leone Frontier Police to protect the borders with hostile neighbours • ‘Province of Freedom’ renamed Freetown • 1896 The court messenger force was established in the hinterland of Sierra Leone when the British declared it a protectorate

Historical Perspective • 1898 Bai Bureh and the ‘Hut Tax’ war rebelled against the Court Messengers collecting taxes on behalf of the colonial authorities.

Historical Perspective • 1920’s saw the merger of the Court Messenger Force and Frontier Force • Renamed Sierra Leone Police Force • 1961 at Independence SLP was a ‘model’ force for Africa • In the post independence era, SLP became corrupt, tyrannical and inefficient

Sierra Leone in 2002 • • 11 years of civil war ends Country devastated People living on less than one US dollar a day Over 150, 000 people killed and half a million refugees or internally displaced • 50, 000 ex-combatants given re-integration benefits

Sierra Leone Police • Police reform top of Government agenda • 1997 Commonwealth assisted with reorganisation of police • 1999 Ex-patriate UK Inspector-General of Police appointed to spearhead a restructuring process of the police • 2000 Provision of uniforms, vehicle and radios

THE SIERRA LEONE POLICE Government Policing Charter Introduction My Government wants to create a police service which will be a credit to the Nation. The Role of the Police The Sierra Leone Police will assist in returning our communities to peace and prosperity by acting in a manner which will: ·eventually remove the need for the deployment of military and para-military forces in our villages, communities and city streets ·ensure the safety and security of all people and their property ·respect the human rights of all individuals ·prevent and detect crime by using the most effective methods which can be made available to them ·take account of local concerns through community consultation ·at all levels be free from corruption Equal Opportunities The personnel policies of the Sierra Leone Police will be the same for all members, regardless of sex or ethnic origin. All recruitment, training, postings, promotions and opportunities for development will be based on a published equal opportunities policy. The Role of My Government The Government will do all in its power to ensure that the Sierra Leone Police is: ·directed and managed in accordance with The Constitution ·locally managed so as to ensure that community views are always taken into consideration ·adequately resourced and financed ·well equipped to undertake its duties, ·professionally trained, ·dynamically led and, ·that the terms and conditions of service for members of the Sierra Leone Police reflect the importance of the task they perform. The Role of the People In order that our police officers can successfully fulfil our expectations, it is essential that all people of Sierra Leone help and support them at all times. Conclusion Our aim is to see a reborn Sierra Leone Police, which will be a force for good in our Nation.

SIERRA LEONE POLICE A Force for Good Our Duty We will provide a professional and effective service which: • Protects Life and Property • Achieves a peaceful society • Takes primacy in the maintenance of Law and Order Our Values We will respect Human Rights and the freedoms of the individual. We will be honest, impartial, caring and free from corruption. Our Priorities We will respond to local needs. We will value our own people. We will involve all in developing our policing priorities. Our Aim To win public confidence by offering reliable, caring and accountable police services.

Conceptual Overview of Policing Model for Sierra Leone Highest Level Commitment Takes Account of: • CONSULTATION / WISHES • OTHER KEY OBJECTIVES • CONSTITUTION Government Policy Statement of: • INTENTIONS • EXPECTATIONS • KEY NATIONAL OBJECTIVES • DYNAMIC supports Built from: • NATIONAL KEY OBJECVTIVES • INTERNAL / EXTERNAL CONSULTATION POLICE MISSION STATEMENT Highest Police Level, states: • PHILOSOPHY • AIMS • CORPORATE GOALS delivers Must be: • REALISTIC • LINKED TO GOSL FIRM BUDGET COMMITMENT and OTHER CONFIRMED RESOURCES Strategic Development Plan Structures Finance Logistics Review results help develop and sustain © CPDTF Training Yearly Policing Plan Systems & Models Aims and Goals

The Government side of the Policing Equation Go. SL Policing Charter National Key Objectives Develop Local Needs Policing Re-establish primacy Continue restructuring process + How is success to be measured? ? SLP Mission Statement Annual Policing Plan Strategic Plan Development Plan Structures etc. Role: • Provide advice and guidance to Go. SL • Provide external oversight of Policing • Disciplinary body for IGPs • Set, measure and review National Key Objectives and Priorities • Provide proper resourcing Institutional Capacity in Ministry Develop: External Inspectorate Research/Planning/Support Team New legislation (Police Act, Regulations etc. ) Police Council Secretariat

Properly equipped and maintained Most effective structure Properly financed Effective management Leaner and Fitter Adequately trained Efficient use of resources The right people, with the right skills, in the right place at the right time. • UNITED and APOLITICAL • Totally Civilian (NO military trappings) • Accountability de-centralised • Resources locally managed • Decision making at lowest possible level • Openness • Corporate Standards • HQ Supports service delivery on the ground • National Squads as necessary • Staff associations • Equal Opportunities • Sustainable Police The most appropriate response to support Local Needs Policing Ministry of Internal Affairs Police Council (Pay and Conditions of Service) External Police Oversight Complaints and Discipline Budget Support Independent Inspectorate Government LOCAL NEEDS POLICING PARTNERSHIP People Flatter Rank Structure based on Roles and Responsibilities IGP Deputy IGP Assistant IG’s Chief Superintendent ASP Inspector Sergeant Constable Civilian Support Staff

Local Needs Policing A system of policing that meets the expectations and needs of the local community and reflects national standards and guidelines.

Local Command Unit A body of people, effectively and efficiently managed, accountable and with devolved authority, designed to deliver the policing needs of the local community.

Model Local Command Unit (LCU) LCU Commander Support Officer Strategy and Direction Plans LNP Delivery, Welfare, Discipline and Auditing Tasking and Co-ordination Group (TSG) Operations Officer Information Officer Crime Officer Managing all day to day Operational aspects Information Management of all day to day Crime Aspects

Controlled Management of Policing a Post Conflict Situation Ministers’ Committee • Defence • Internal Affairs • Office of National Security P O L I C Y JCC - Joint Command Centre • Chief of Defence Staff • GOC UNAMSIL • IGP • CDF • Intelligence Command Control JIG - Joint Intelligence Committee • Military Intelligence • CDF Intelligence • National Intelligence • Special Branch Intelligence Collation, Analysis and Dissemination JOC - Joint Operations Centre JOC - Joint Operationslocal level) (Carry out joint operations Operations Centre at Centre JOC - Joint (Carry out joint operations at local level) • ECOMOG/MILITARY • POLICE • UNAMSIL/MILITARY • POLICE • CDF • • CDFPOLICE • LOCAL GOVERNMENT • CDF • LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Model Local Command Unit (LCU) LUC Commander Strategy and Direction LCU Support Officer Planning LNP Delivery, Personnel, Welfare, Auditing and Discipline Administration Human Resources Logistics Members of the Tasking and Co-ordination Group (TCG) Auditing Finance Operations Officer Managing all day today Operational aspects Staffing of Police Stations/Posts Community Liaison Officers Family Support Officers* Special Constabulary Information Officer Management Information Crime Officer Management of all day to day Crime aspects Community Information Criminal Investigation Officers Crime Information SOCO (Scenes of Crime Officers) Statistics Family Support Officers* Operational Response I Branch – General Investigations Traffic Management Police Support Unit Shift Commanders Managing Response, Service Delivery and Incident Control

Sierra Leone Police – from Crisis to Confidence New departments set up • Complaints, Discipline and Internal Investigations Department • Inspectorate Department • Operations Planning Department • Police Support Group • Family Support Unit • Community Relations Department • Media and Public Relations Unit.

United Nations Support to Sierra Leone Police • 170 UNCIVPOL deployed in training and mentoring restructuring process • UN Development Programme and UN Trust Fund rebuilt some of the police infrastructure • Capacity building of the SLP in response to the Adjustment, Drawdown and Withdrawal of Unamsil Peace Keeping Force.

Commonwealth Support to the Sierra Leone Police • The Commonwealth Police Development Task Force renamed Commonwealth Community Safety and Security Project. • The project now encompasses wider issues of community safety, improving Sierra Leone Police institutional capacity, humanitarian services to reduce poverty and promote access to injustice • Support the change management process in the Sierra Leone Police

Police and Community • Police Researchers and practitioners paying increased attention to: – Solving and preventing crime – Within the context of growing communities – Using past experiences to develop effective strategies to deal with current and future threats

Police Becoming Community Oriented • Community participation included in various police mission statements • Police alone cannot deal with crime and the root causes of crime • Adopting multi agency approach

Police And Community Support Each Other • Strong police support strong community • Strong community support a strong police force • Police effectiveness is determined by community dynamics

A Weak Community Cannot Support A Strong Police • Police works for every sector for the community • Police needs money from the community • Police needs community input

Community Perception Determines The Success Of The Police • No police force can survive without: – Community acceptance – Community participation – Community support • Policing by consent helps the police to keep vast populations under the law

Conclusion • Increased threats of instability, public disorders, criminality, narcotic drugs and cross border crimes • Police all over the world are becoming increasingly concern with community safety • Police forces need to work closely with communities to identify and deal with these threats • Need to promote exchange of ideas, sharing information and monitor movement of criminals across frontiers.

Conclusion • Sierra Leone today focuses on national security objectives, national recovery, poverty reduction and access to justice • Lots of investment in the police to achieve these community aspirations.

I Thank the Ipes directorate for giving me the opportunity to be part of this most valuable meeting. I also acknowledge the good work of the organisers as well as our hosts. I thank you for listening to my presentation and I welcome your comments.