Freetown, 11 June 2026 — The Sierra Leone Police (SLP), in partnership with the Victory Teens Organisation (VTO) and the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), has launched an extensive Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training programme for selected police officers across the country.
The four-month initiative, conducted concurrently in Freetown, Kenema, and Makeni, aims to bolster the digital capabilities of police personnel and improve service delivery. A total of 125 officers are expected to benefit from the programme.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mr Sahr Yomba Senesi described the project as a pivotal moment in the history of the Sierra Leone Police. He emphasised that capacity building remains a top priority for the current leadership, asserting that officers equipped with relevant skills are better positioned to serve effectively and professionally.
DIG Senesi highlighted the importance of knowledge, stating that "knowledge is power", and assured stakeholders that the SLP management is closely monitoring the programme’s progress to ensure its success. He also spoke of the ongoing transformation of the force from a traditional, force-oriented organisation into a modern, service-oriented institution capable of addressing the complexities of contemporary society.
He paid tribute to the Victory Teens Organisation for initiating and supporting the training, describing it as a commendable investment in the professional development of police officers. The DIG assured that the partnership between the Sierra Leone Police and its development partners would continue to expand for the benefit of both the force and the nation.
Furthermore, DIG Senesi commended the DSTI for its ongoing support in advancing the digital transformation agenda of the police.
Representing VTO, the organisation’s Country Director, Madam Magdalene Martha Lebbie, described the partnership with the SLP as a meaningful investment in people and institutions, aimed at supporting national development.
Madam Lebbie explained that VTO, in collaboration with DSTI, initiated the programme recognising that technology is now a necessity rather than a privilege. She emphasised that digital literacy and competence are essential for effective participation in modern society.
She expressed appreciation for the leadership of the Sierra Leone Police in embracing technological innovation. Madam Lebbie revealed that the organisation’s founder and president, Pastor Mohamed Samuel Kamara, was inspired by his upbringing in a police family, witnessing first-hand the sacrifices and challenges faced by officers and their families.
Founded in 2015, VTO aims to empower lives through education, skills development, and youth empowerment. Madam Lebbie announced that VTO will provide fully funded scholarships and ICT training opportunities for eligible police officers and their families.
Speaking on behalf of DSTI, Project Manager Madam Tigidankay Bah reaffirmed the organisation’s long-standing partnership with the Sierra Leone Police. She noted previous collaborations, including digitising key departments such as Human Resources, and highlighted the Office of National Security’s (ONS) recommendation to expand such initiatives across major security institutions.
Madam Bah commended VTO for extending ICT training opportunities and described digital literacy as a critical skill in today’s technological landscape. She also revealed that DSTI is developing specialised Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programmes for police investigators and Cyber Unit personnel, aimed at enhancing their ability to identify AI-generated content and distinguish it from authentic materials.
She encouraged participants to actively engage in the training and apply their newfound knowledge to improve their professional performance and service delivery.
The programme forms part of ongoing efforts by the Sierra Leone Police and its partners to develop a digitally empowered, innovative, and efficient police service capable of meeting the evolving demands of modern policing.
SLP Media Team