Government Sends Strong Message to ‘Trigger-Happy’ Police Officers

The Inspector General of Police, Francis Munu (in photo) has issued a stern warning that with immediate effect any Police Officer causing loss of life without lawful jurisdiction would be charged to court no matter the circumstances.

He made this statement in the wake of the frequent discharged of live rounds by certain OSD officers carrying weapons thereby causing loss of life. This, IG Munu said, is outside the rules of engagement and therefore unacceptable.

The Inspector General lamented that, in spite of repeated warnings the trend remains unabated. “Let it be known by everybody that it is not a policy of the Sierra Leone Police for armed officers to discharge live rounds without lawful justification”, he maintained.

He also noted that government has instituted an inquiry into the killings that took place in Bo, Bumbuna and Wellington, and urged all officers who are expected to testify in all or any of those incidents to fully cooperate as required by law. “All officers are under strict instructions to comply and pass this information to all their subordinates”, he concluded.

PRESS RELEASE

ON FRIDAY 15TH JUNE 2012 AT ABOUT 3:AM, AN OSD OFFICER SHOT AT AND KILLED A MOTORCYCLE RIDER AT MAMBO IN THE GODERICH AREA OF FREETOWN, AFTER THE DECEASED RIDER HAD ALLEGEDLY BULLDOZED A POLICE CHECKPOINT SET UP TO CHECK THE MOVEMENT OF ARMED ROBBERS.

THE SAID OSD OFFICER HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED AT THE CID HEADQUARTERS IN FREETOWN. HE WILL SUBSEQUENTLY, BE CHARGED FOR MURDER BY MONDAY 18TH JUNE 2012.

MEANWHILE, POLICE HEADQUARTERS, WISHES THE PUBLIC PARTICULARLY THE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS TO STAY CALM AND GO ABOUT THEIR USUAL ACTIVITIES. ALL EFFORTS ARE BEING TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC GO ABOUT THEIR LEGITIMATE BUSINESS WITHOUT LET OR HINDRANCE.

SIGNED BY RICHARD MOIGBE FOR THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE

By Jarrah Kawusu-Konte

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