Accountability is the key cog in the governance machinery of every democratic state. The Sierra Leone Police (SLP), like all state institutions, should be accountable as it is a critical ingredient for the police’s ability to maintain law and order. Police accountability is a universal concern. Each country is constantly struggling with how its police should use their powers effectively in line with its laws and policies. In Sierra Leone, police accountability is a key public concern that has generated much interest in how the SLP should hold itself accountable.
To provide a space for a genuine debate between citizens and the police force, the Center for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL) on July 2 organised a seminar on Police Accountability. Participants were drawn from around the country, representing civil society organizations, state institutions, the media and individuals working on justice and security related issues. Among the key highlights of the discussion were the issues facing vulnerable groups who come in conflict with the law in three main areas: (a) public order offences, (b) offences against persons and (c) larceny related offences.
The objective of the seminar was to address critical issues relating to police accountability and to proffer recommendations for improving the mechanisms set up by the police to foster internal accountability. The goal was to help rebuild citizens’ trust in the SLP as a Force for Good. Participants raised a considerable number of issues relating to police accountability, as highlighted below.
To start with, participants raised the point that complainants or victims of crimes face many obstacles at the preliminary stage of accessing justice, which mostly involve the police. The participants accused the police of requesting payments from complainants, even for minor complaints, which is burdensome for most complainants. Thus, corruption and the lack of transparency in the way police investigations are conducted, were identified as factors impeding the proper administration of justice.
There was also concern about the low level of efficiency, professionalism and discipline within the police force. A number of reports indicate that soliciting bribe to perform their legal duties, prejudicial treatment of certain matters, unlawful detentions, violation and abuse of citizens’ rights, and undisciplined behavior are some of the challenges facing the police. These have contributed immensely to creating a tainted reputation for the Sierra Leone Police. The leadership of the police must step up efforts to address these issues.
It was also noted that police accountability mechanisms needed reform, with particular concern raised about the composition of the Police Council, which by Section 156(1) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, has the Vice-President of the Republic of Sierra Leone as its Chairman. Many of the participants believed that such was a recipe for government or political interference with the work of the police.
The Independent Police Complaint Board (IPCB) also came under scrutiny. Although the IPCB is completely staffed by civilians, it has limited jurisdiction, as it can only hear complaints made against senior and not junior personnel.
This leaves doubts as to how effective such a mechanism would be if it does not administer justice indiscriminately.
The view was also expressed that there was need for publicity of the work of the Complaint, Discipline and Internal Investigations Department (CDIID). The CDIID should embark on massive public education about its work and the discipline regulations for the police. Participants also recommended that the CDIID provides regular update to the public on the disposition of cases and provide clear guidelines about how a complaint is investigated and resolved.
Most participants were of the view that the ipants proffered the following recommendations toward improving police accountability:
recruitment process of the police needed reform, noting that the process often lacks transparency and is often not independent of political interference, which was perceived to have a causal link to the high incidence of unprofessional conduct among some personnel. At the end of the seminar, the participants proffered the following recommendations toward improving police accountability: Public education and feedback on the CDIID’s activity should be done on sustainable and regular bases to enhance public awareness of the CDIID’s work. There is also need for the CDIID to provide a website or a toll-free hotline for citizens to file complaints. The Independent Police Complaint Board (ICPB) should work hand in glove with the CDIID to avoid some of the mistakes of the latter. It was also recommended that a mechanism needs to be created whereby persons aggrieved with the decision of CDIID can file an appeal with the IPCB.
It was also recommended that the Police Council be reformed. In particular, the participants suggested that to make the police more independent and accountable to citizens, the Police Council should be constituted and headed by apolitical groups and persons. They also reiterated a strong need for the implementation of the United Nations Rules for Treatment of Female Prisoners.
It was also recommended that entry requirements into the police force be raised in order to build a more professional and educated police force. In addition, the leadership of the police force should organize/fund refresher training courses for police officers, particularly those who investigate crimes or respond to riots. The need to improve salaries, involve relevant stakeholders such as civil society organizations and community leaders in the selection and recruitment processes of police officers, and to consistently monitor the activities of police personnel was strongly recommended. Going forward, establishing and operating a coherent chain of command and management structure; incorporating transparency and accountability standards in investigation procedures; ensuring an independent civilian oversight of police activities, and prudent and accountable use of available resources and processes are critical for an effective police institution. These recommended reforms are critical to ensuring that the Sierra Leone Police perform their duties to the highest professional standard possible.