20 June 2012

Sierra Leone’s main opposition party – the Sierra Leone Peoples’ Party, has today spoken about the series of police shootings, which have had fatal consequences and the worsening security situation in the country.

Speaking at the party’s monthly press briefing at their head office in central Freetown, the emphasis was on the growing anxiety over the government’s inability to stem the spate of armed robbery in the country.

But the poor state of the economy and the gloomy prospects, were not spared either. This is what the party told the media:

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20 June 2012

As a young police officer appeared in court yesterday, charged with the murder – unlawful shooting of a young motorbike rider near York in Freetown, questions must now be asked as to whether the police officer had the authority to open fire on the bike rider.

Questions must also be asked about the police force’s rules of engagement and modus operandi, with respect to suspected traffic related offences, as well as the seeming breakdown in communication in the force’s chain of command.

The police officer is reported to have only recently joined the force and completed his basic training a month ago.

Why are inexperienced and newly recruited officers being issued with fire arms?

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