Office of the Prosecutor trains Sierra Leone Police Prosecutors

Special Court Prosecutors last week conducted intensive trainings in the theory and practice of police prosecution for 102 police prosecutors drawn from all regions of Sierra Leone.

The trainings, which took place May 12-13 at the Police Training School in Hastings, are part of the Office of the Prosecutor’s ongoing contribution to the wider Legacy of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, and are meant to complement national efforts to end impunity and to build a culture of respect for the rule of law.

Senior Trial Attorney Mohamed A. Bangura, who led the two-day training exercise, said it “focused primarily on the fundamentals of police prosecution, including the management of witnesses and victims, and also gender-based crime.” Mr. Bangura headed a team of Special Court staff, working closely with members of the Sierra Leone Police.

Special Court Prosecutor Brenda Hollis, in her statement to open the training, thanked the Sierra Leone Police for their continuing cooperation with the Court in preparing and presenting the training.

Ms. Hollis noted that “a high percentage of criminal cases in the Magistrates’ Court are handled by Sierra Leone Police Prosecutors,” and expressed her hope that the training would assist these prosecutors “to ensure justice for the victims and rule of law for the people of Sierra Leone.”

The bulk of criminal cases in the Magistrates’ Court are tried by police prosecutors, but they often require additional development of basic legal skills in order to carry out their duty effectively. In 2009, the Office of the Prosecutor launched a series of similar trainings for police prosecutors to fill this needs gap.

by Office of the Prosecutor, Special Court for Sierra Leone

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