Law Reform Commission Partners with UNDP for Review of Police Act of 1964

By: Ahmed Yusuf Turay,

The Law Reform Commission, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organized a consultative meeting on October 15, 2024, to review the Police Act of 1964. Themed “Strengthening Rule of Law, Access to Justice, Human Rights, and Security in Sierra Leone,” the meeting took place at the Sierra Leone Bank Complex in Kingtom, Freetown.

In his opening statement, Yada Williams Esq., Chairman of the Law Reform Commission, emphasized the Commission’s commitment to a comprehensive review of the legal framework governing the Sierra Leone Police (SLP). He noted that a sub-committee had been established to examine the entire Police Act 1964, alongside other relevant legal documents. Williams stated that the consultative meeting aligns with the Commission’s nationwide effort to update the 60-year-old Act, balancing effectiveness with human rights and strengthening police-community relations.

He highlighted the importance of gathering stakeholders’ views on the recommendations made by the sub-committee, aimed at ensuring the Act aligns with current legal standards and international best practices in modern policing.

Williams asserted that the review is timely and essential for strengthening the rule of law, as similar reforms have been implemented in various countries across the region.

Retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Elizabeth Turay, chairperson of the program, described the review meeting as a significant step toward strengthening the Sierra Leone Police. She encouraged community participation and urged both community leaders and police to utilize the framework for the benefit of Sierra Leoneans. Turay emphasized the review’s objectives, which include eliminating torture and degrading treatment, preventing excessive use of force, fostering police-community cooperation, safeguarding fundamental rights, enhancing police responsiveness, and improving training for professionalism.

Inspector General of Police William Faya Sealieu expressed gratitude to the organizers for their commendable efforts. He shared his aspirations for transforming the SLP from a force to a service, highlighting successful reforms in other African nations, such as Ghana. Sealieu encouraged the police to build trust and integrity in their duties and thanked the sub-committee for their proactive approach to revising the 1964 Police Act.

UNDP representative Alie Sesay also commended the sub-committee for their thorough work and encouraged the Sierra Leone Police to maintain law and order and to collaborate with local police partnership boards at the community level.

Discussions during the meeting included key topics such as the return and execution of search warrants, the powers of police to access telecommunications data, and other important policing issues.