Who do people turn to for policing in Sierra Leone?

Abstract

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Notes 1. The legacy of the Ugandan revolution has included a deeply rooted local democracy and a fear of national insecurity recurring. The former has meant that the Resistance Council system established by the National Resistance Army during the course of the revolution to provide local law and order, has persisted (as Local Councils); the latter has led to a predilection for military solutions to insecurity and the militarisation of policing units. The extent of the provision of law and order by the Local Council system and the militarised units ensures that the state maintains a strong influence over most of the diversification of policing. 2. The research was funded by the UK's Economic and Social Research Council (Award Reference: R000271293) and Coventry University. 3. However, armed robbery in Freetown is commonly attributed by the SLP and citizens to ex-RUF elements living just outside of the city. 4. Police commanders, youth group leaders and women's groups reported greater willingness of the SLP to treat sexual crimes and domestic violence seriously when these were reported to police stations. Interviews with Local Unit Commanders of the A, B, D, S and T Divisions; Chairlady of The Women's Organisations in Kono; Youth Leaders, Makeni, February 2005. 5. The Assistant Inspector General of Police for the Western Area, Mr Tamb Gbekie, says that those arrested have claimed that they were conducting robberies “because of their desperation to bribe lawyers so that their cases [pending from previous arrests] could be killed or endlessly adjourned in court” (StandardTimes, January 31, 2005). 6. Interview with Koinadugu CGG field officer, January 2004, July 2004. 7. Interview with T.T. Kamara, Deputy Head, OSD, February 28, 2005. 8. Interviews with Local Unit Commanders of the A, B, D, S and T Divisions and CCSSP advisers, who spoke of fuel shortages and of equipment and vehicles that were out of service since parts were too expensive. See also “Fuel Shortage Handicaps Police Operations”, Concord Times, Freetown, March 23, 2005. The SLP request for 2005 for 60 billion Leones (regarded as reasonable by CCSSP advisers) elicited a response of 21 billion from the government. 9. In March 2005 the OSD opened fire on demonstrating students, killing one and injuring two (still officially denied by the SLP). “Police Used Excessive Force During the Students' Demonstrations”, Standard Times, Freetown, March 8, 2005. 10. Interview with youth leaders, Makeni, February 20, 2005. 11. The SLP issued 300 questionnaires to a non-random sample of informants; 287 were returned. 12. The villages of Massesse, Malong and Makundu in Bombali District had no police post, but when asked if they would like one it was universally declined. Interviews, February 21, 2005. 13. Interview with J. Sharkah, government mining engineer, February 9, 2005. 14. Interview with dealer, Koidu, February 9, 2005. 15. Interview with Brima Acha Kamara, Inspector General of Police, February 15, 2005. 16. B Division Partnership Board meeting, February 5, 2005. Interview with P.B. Williams, Chairman of the Board. 17. Interviews with market executives at Freetown Big Market; Garrison Market; Congo Town Market; Koidu Market; Makeni Market; Bo Market. February–March 2004. 18. Interviews in Freetown, Waterloo, Koidu and Makeni, February 2005. 19. Interview with Suliaman Silaah, Task Force Commander, March 3, 2005. 20. Though licences are required for commercial security companies, there is no effective inspection and no licence has been withdrawn. 21. Interviews with A. Sillah, managing director and administrative manager, Pentagon Security; J. Fofanah, general operations manager, Mount Everest Security Agency; E. Hudi Turay, manager, C&C Security; A. Tunkara, manager, Hughes Security, February 2005. 22. Interviews with Native Authority Police in Kamara chiefdom, February 8, 2005; P.C. Sebora, Paramount Chief, Sebora chiefdom, Bombali; Joe Kamgeai-Macavoray, Paramount Chief, Tikonko chiefdom; Village Head, Massesse; R. Clarke, Headman, Krootown; A. Wright, Headman, Waterloo; Village Head, Malong; Kenneth Tommy, Town Chief, Yengema; Sahr Babonjo, Town Chief, Tombodou, February and March 2005. 23. In Kamara chiefdom there are nine Native Authority Police; 16 in Sebora chiefdom; and three in Tikonko (the pre-war the figure was 23). 24. Interviews with peace monitors, Bo, March 3, 2005. 25. For example, the Annual Crime Report of the SLP attributes the increase in crime rates in the western area to, inter alia, “lots of idlers and unemployed youth roaming about”. 26. With 3000 Karamajor having gone to Liberia to fight, they acknowledge that there is a threat of their imminent return. Interview with J. Sandy, Office of National Security, January 27, 2005. 27. Interview with youth leaders, Makeni, February 20, 2005. 28. Ibid. 29. Interview with youth leader, February 8, 2005. 30. Interview with Kenneth Tommy, Town Chief, Yengema, February 8, 2005. 31. Interview with Sahr Babonjo, Town Chief, Tombodou, February, 9, 2005. 32. Interview with Women's Leader, Tombodou, February 9, 2005. 33. Interviews, February 9, 2005. 34. Interview with General Secretary of MOCKY, February 9, 2005. The Assistant Superintendent of Police of Kono District concurs that they have “much improved”. Interview with Clarkson Momoh, February 8, 2005. 35. Interview with executive member, March 1, 2005. 36. Interviews, January 31, 2005. 37. Interview with R. Clarke, January 31, 2005. 38. Interview, February 20, 2005. 39. S Division Local Unit Commander, February 20, 2005. 40. Interviews, February 21, 2005. 41. Interview with J. Sandy, Office of National Security, January 27, 2005.