The Masingbi Police Division has taken a significant step in strengthening community policing by organizing a capacity-building training for Community Safety Volunteers (CSVs) and members of Local Policing Partnership Boards (LPPBs). The one-day training, held at the Divisional Headquarters Conference Hall in Masingbi, brought together youths, traditional leaders, and other community stakeholders. The program aimed to enhance their understanding of community policing, crime prevention, and their responsibilities in maintaining peace and security.
The training was conducted on behalf of the Regional Police Commander, North-East Region, AIG Mrs Esther Mary Kaintor-Dukuray, and Regional Human Resource Partner ASP Mariatu Fofanah. They commended community stakeholders, particularly youths, for their continued cooperation with the police. The trainers stressed the importance of respecting human rights, observing lawful arrest and detention procedures, and avoiding mob justice.
The trainers also raised concerns over substance abuse, particularly the use of Tramadol, Cannabis Sativa, and Kush. They urged participants to support efforts to address the problem within their communities. ASP Fofanah encouraged community members to report suspected offenders to the police rather than taking the law into their own hands.
Inspector AbuBakarr Sidikie Mansaray, Regional Coordinator of the Community Relations Department, highlighted the importance of effective communication, community engagement, and timely information sharing in preventing crime. He described Community Safety Volunteers as a vital link between the police and the communities they serve, noting that mutual trust and public cooperation are essential to building safer communities.
Local Unit Commander of Masingbi Division, Superintendent Rashid Osman Koroma, reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to people-centred policing. He recognised the important role of traditional leaders in peace-building, conflict mediation, and dispute resolution. He expressed appreciation to the training team, particularly AIG Kaintor-Dukuray, for the initiative and called for stronger collaboration between chiefs, community stakeholders, and the police.
The training ended with an interactive question-and-answer session, allowing participants to share experiences and seek clarification on their roles in promoting community safety. The initiative forms part of the Sierra Leone Police’s broader commitment to partnership-based policing, recognising community participation as a key component of effective crime prevention and public safety.
The Masingbi Police Division’s effort to strengthen community policing through training of safety volunteers demonstrates its dedication to collaborative law enforcement. By engaging with community stakeholders, the police aim to build trust and foster a safer environment for all residents. The training is a step towards achieving this goal, and its impact will be closely watched by the community and law enforcement agencies alike.
Key points
- The Masingbi Police Division trained Community Safety Volunteers and Local Policing Partnership Boards to enhance community-based crime prevention.
- The training emphasized the importance of respecting human rights, observing lawful arrest and detention procedures, and avoiding mob justice.
- The initiative forms part of the Sierra Leone Police’s broader commitment to partnership-based policing.
