ACC talks to Rogbaneh police personnel at Makeni Division
The Anti-Corruption Commission in demonstrating its robust posture on the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone, on Friday 17th February 2012 thoroughly sensitized officers and the rank and file of the Rogbaneh Police Station in Makeni. (Photo: Cross section of officers listening to ACC staff)
Speaking at the customized meeting, the Bombali District Coordinator Raymond Allieu Kamara entreated the police personnel to be dutiful and steadfast in their work. He said the job they do is very challenging, considering the society we find ourselves. Coordinator Kamara however admonished the officers to be conscious of the existence of the Commission and the mandate given to it by Parliament. Mr. Kamara emphasized that ACC is not witch-hunting anybody, but remains professional, independent and impartial in carrying out its tasks.
Raymond Kamara, Bombali District Coordinator explaining the purpose of the meeting
Corruption is evil and kills, Raymond Kamara told the officers. As such, all were to put shoulders to the wheel to eradicate corruption in Sierra Leone if our nation should forge ahead development wise. Mr. Kamara told his listeners that the public had a negative perception about the police, but it was the business of the police to correct such a perception.
The Regional Manager ACC North, Mr. Patrick Sandi expressed his delight on his first meeting with the officers and assured them of ACC’s continued partnership with the SLP which is a strategic entity in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone. Manager Sandi warned the officers to desist from corrupt practices as the public always holds the view that corruption is prevalent in the Sierra Leone Police. Corruption, Manager furthered is a moral issue and as such, officers were to consider being morally upright to be able to stand tall in the face of corruption. It is not the case that when you are paid low salaries you should be involved in a corrupt act; but rather you should be seen corrupt-free in all the situations, lowly paid or highly paid as well paid individuals are equally involved in corrupt practices.
Manager Sandi talking at the meeting
Manager Sandi highlighted key corrupt offences in the AC Act 2008 that the police personnel needed to know that will aid them in their work. Some of the offences mentioned by the Manager were: Soliciting and Accepting Advantage, Abuse of Office and Position, Influencing a Public Officer, Misappropriation of Public Funds or Property, Donor Funds or Property and Protecting an Offender from Legal Proceedings. The Manager added that the ACC and SLP partner in the areas of information sharing and referral of cases that fall under the mandate of the respective organizations. Mr. Sandi concluded that, the ACC was soliciting the support of the Police in its efforts to making Sierra Leone a society free from corruption.
LUC-CSP David Sahid Koroma making a statement at the customized meeting
The Local Unit Commander (LUC) Rogbaneh Police Station, Makeni Division, Chief Superintendent (CSP) David Sahid Koroma thanked the ACC staff for the message they have disseminated to officers of his organization and encouraged the ACC to be conducting such sensitization meetings with the SLP and other agencies periodically. LUC Koroma told his personnel that the ACC was established to bring sanity to the Sierra Leonean society. He furthered that, all was to look at the Commission as an institution that seeks the welfare of all Sierra Leoneans and not a selected few. Mr. Koroma however, advised his men and women to be upright in their dealings as the Force itself frowns at dishonest behavior and financial malpractices. He maintained that quite recently, the CDIID of the SLP recently dismissed a handful of officers and suspended others for misconduct and other unwholesome practices. LUC Koroma concluded by encouraging his officers to resist, reject and report corruption as the Police too can report in the circumstance they are to be corrupted.
Contributions from the officers, questions and answers climaxed the meeting amongst which the officers pleaded with the ACC to advocate to Government for an improved condition of service for the SLP.
ACC Makeni
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2012, https:. All rights reserved.
