June 19, 2024 protests Sierra Leone Police Gears Up to Ensure National Peace and Security

Sierra Leone Police Gears Up to Ensure National Peace and Security

Sources within the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) have confirmed the implementation of robust security measures aimed at maintaining peace and tranquility across the nation. The SLP is committed to ensuring that security remains tight and effective to safeguard the country’s stability.

While the SLP supports the right to peaceful protest, it emphasizes the necessity of adhering to established procedures and criteria. According to the Public Order Act, organizers of any protest must formally request clearance by writing to the Inspector General of Police (IGP). 

This request initiates a process where the police and organizers meet to plan the protest’s logistics, including mapping out the route and agreeing on specific terms. This ensures that any breach of the agreement can be effectively managed and that accountability is maintained.

A senior police officer explained, "If we receive a letter addressed to the IGP, we will call the organizers to a roundtable discussion to map out the route and agree on terms. This way, if there is a breach of agreement, we have individuals to hold accountable." 

He expressed concern that recent protests have been organized by anonymous individuals or groups on social media, making it difficult for the police to manage and ensure the protests remain peaceful. The officer cited June 19, 2024, as an example of the challenges faced by the police in dealing with unauthorized protests. 

He reiterated that the SLP, as the moral guarantor of law and order, cannot condone protests that do not follow the proper channels. The SLP is prepared to enforce the law to maintain peace and order, assuring the public of their safety and security before, during, and after June 19, 2024.

In their commitment to uphold peace, the SLP emphasizes that their primary goal is to protect citizens and ensure that any form of demonstration is conducted within the framework of the law.

The police force is on high alert and ready to address any situations that might disrupt national peace. They stress the importance of cooperation between protest organizers and law enforcement to ensure that demonstrations are conducted safely and responsibly.

The SLP's proactive effort to maintain law and order demonstrates its dedication to national stability. To avoid disruption and guarantee that all public demonstrations are orderly, the police insist on following the correct steps involved in protest procedures. The general population is shielded from possible disturbances by this strategy in addition to the rights of protestors.

Reiterating their commitment to public safety and national serenity, the SLP's promise arrives at a crucial moment. To maintain peace and order across the nation, the police are committed to giving all citizens a safe and secure environment.