July 28, 2015 By Alhassan Bah
A joint Local Police Partnership Board (LPPB) for the Harbour and ‘B’ Divisions has been officially launched over the weekend by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in-charge of Freetown-East, Memunatu Conteh-Jalloh.
The ceremony, held at the Laura Dove Municipal Secondary School hall in the east of Freetown, attracted dignitaries as well as community and traditional leaders in Constituencies 103 and 104.
Speaking during the ceremony, the LPPB Chairman, Hoodie Conteh, demanded more respect from the rank and file of the Sierra Leone Police as according to him, “most times LPPB members are disregarded by police officers in most matters”.
He stated that the rationale behind the establishment of the LPPB was to help provide the SLP with vital information on matters having to do with security and the welfare of people in the communities, and also to assist the police in protecting the lives and properties of Sierra Leoneans.
According to him, community policing should be the concern of everybody, which was why they had divided the LPPB into various zones to carry out night patrols to curb the menace of criminals attacking and robbing people of their belongings.
Also, All People’s Congress (APC) Member of Parliament for Constituency 103, Hon. Jariatu Osaio Smith, spoke about the difficulties police officers sometimes encounter in going after criminals without the involvement of the community people.
She welcomed the formation of the board with the hope that it would yield results in chasing criminals out of her constituency
“Let me use this occasion to encourage the SLP to always work alongside community people in addressing security concerns, as well as in dealing with criminals in the community,” she urged.
Hon. Smith concluded by assuring members of the LPPB of her unflinching support at all times, while promising to provide reflector materials for the police soonest.
In her keynote address before launching the board, AIG Memunatu Conteh-Jalloh described the establishment of the LPPB as timely, especially within her areas of command.
“I am commencing the crackdown on cliques and other gang groups within Mount Aureol, Malta Street and Lower Savage Square from today,” disclosed the controversial and no-nonsense AIG. “I am using this opportunity to warn parents and guardians to control their children as I would spare nobody during my operation.”
Fine sentiments were also expressed by the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, Brima A. Sheriff, Africell’s Administrative and Human Resource Director, Abdul Aziz Gabisi, and Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Community Relations, Elizabeth Turay.