A two-day technical training for Sierra Leone Police (SLP) personnel, aimed at enhancing their ability to track suspects and share criminal intelligence across international borders, commenced on Tuesday in Freetown. The training, conducted by delegates from the INTERPOL General Secretariat in France, focuses on the management and operational use of the INTERPOL Database Management Tool (DMT). This tool enables SLP officers to manage, update, retrieve, and cross-reference vital law enforcement information.
The INTERPOL Database Management Tool is a critical component of the organization's efforts to support member countries in their fight against transnational organized crime. Through INTERPOL's secure I-24/7 communications network, member countries can access international databases containing information on wanted persons, stolen and lost travel documents, stolen motor vehicles, fingerprints, DNA profiles, and criminal records. This allows police officers to identify links between suspects and international organized crime networks, verify travel documents, and support cooperation with law enforcement agencies in other countries.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Alpha Kamara, Head of the SLP Training Department, welcomed the INTERPOL delegation and emphasized the importance of continuous professional development in improving police operations. He stressed that effective management and use of police information are essential for investigations, intelligence gathering, and international police cooperation. DSP Kamara urged participants to ensure that police records are accurately documented, securely managed, and readily accessible during operations.
Operations Specialist Ms. Najwa Hemri and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sheku Bahja-Koroma, representing INTERPOL Headquarters, provided technical guidance on the Database Management Tool and its role in supporting real-time criminal intelligence and international information sharing. They emphasized that accurate and timely data entry helps law enforcement agencies identify connections between suspects and criminal networks, while maintaining strict standards of data integrity, confidentiality, and professional ethics.
The training is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the SLP's technical capacity, improve cross-border information sharing, and enhance cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime across West Africa. According to INTERPOL, its global databases generated 1.8 million operational hits in 2024, highlighting the importance of international police databases in modern crime-fighting. This underscores the need for effective management and use of police information in tracking suspects and sharing intelligence.
The two-day training will equip SLP officers with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively utilize the Database Management Tool and contribute to the global fight against transnational organized crime. By enhancing the SLP's technical capacity, INTERPOL aims to support Sierra Leone's efforts to improve security and stability, while fostering cooperation with law enforcement agencies across the region.
The training is a significant step towards enhancing international cooperation and information sharing in the fight against crime. As the SLP continues to build its capacity to track suspects and share intelligence, it is expected to play a more effective role in regional and global efforts to combat transnational organized crime.
Key points
- INTERPOL trains Sierra Leone Police to use Database Management Tool for tracking suspects and sharing intelligence.
- The training aims to enhance the SLP's technical capacity and improve cross-border information sharing.
- INTERPOL's global databases generated 1.8 million operational hits in 2024.
