On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, a delegation from Cameroon’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) paid a visit to Inspector General of Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu at his office on George Street, Freetown. The visit was part of a study tour aimed at exploring Sierra Leone’s anti-corruption strategies and collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

The Cameroonian team, led by Public Relations Assistant Mr. Alex A. Bah, explained that their mission was to learn from Sierra Leone's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and how it cooperates with the police in combating corruption. The delegation was represented by Madam Irene Morikang Tche, Head of the Prevention and Communication Division of Cameroon’s National Anti-Corruption Commission, as the Chairman of the Commission was unable to attend.

Madam Tche highlighted the purpose of their visit, explaining that Cameroon is in the process of developing a new anti-corruption law. The delegation was particularly interested in Sierra Leone’s non-judicial recovery methods and the collaboration between the ACC and law enforcement, which was showcased by Sierra Leone’s ACC Head, Ben Kelfala, during a recent Commonwealth meeting for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies held in Ghana.

“We are keen to understand how the ACC and police forces work together here, as Cameroon also maintains a strong partnership with law enforcement in our anti-corruption efforts,” Madam Tche remarked.

IGP Fayia Sellu warmly welcomed the Cameroonian delegation and provided an overview of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), emphasizing their autonomy and commitment to protecting lives and property, maintaining public order, and enforcing the nation’s laws.

“The Sierra Leone Police operates under a code of conduct passed by Parliament in 2001, which includes 47 regulations governing officers' behavior,” IGP Sellu explained. He also noted that police officers are subject to national laws and internal disciplinary rules.

In response to questions about addressing police corruption, IGP Sellu stated that the ACC investigates allegations against police personnel, with findings referred back to the police administration for appropriate action. He underscored the strong collaboration between the SLP and the ACC, highlighting two key platforms for this partnership. The first is the Integrity Management Committee, which operates within local police administrations to monitor and raise awareness among officers about corrupt practices. The second is the West Africa Police Information System, which enables the ACC and the police to share intelligence on criminal activities.

“Through these platforms, the ACC supervises our anti-corruption efforts, and we also conduct joint operations,” he said. IGP Sellu also noted that during police recruitment training, representatives from the ACC and the Independent Police Complaints Board provide briefings on their roles and mandates.

The meeting concluded with a group photograph, marking the continued strengthening of ties between the anti-corruption bodies of Sierra Leone and Cameroon, and reinforcing their shared commitment to fighting corruption.