The Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu, who also serves as Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO), has announced a strategic plan to reactivate all dormant sub-committees under WAPCCO, in a bid to strengthen policing cooperation and coordination across West Africa.
The announcement comes as the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) intensifies its engagement with regional partners, particularly through its involvement in the development of an ECOWAS Police Roster for Peace Support Operations (PSOs). The initiative is aimed at enhancing regional preparedness and professional response to peace and security threats.
As part of this commitment, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), Sahr Yomba Senesi, departed Freetown on Monday to represent the IGP at the ECOWAS Annual Police Focal Point Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, scheduled for August 6–7, 2025.
The high-level regional meeting will focus on finalizing a standardized, transparent, and competency-based Police Roster for ECOWAS-led PSOs. The roster is expected to streamline the identification and deployment of vetted, trained, and mission-ready police officers across member states, thereby facilitating rapid and effective responses to regional security challenges.
DIGP Senesi is slated to deliver a keynote address at the opening ceremony, a move seen as a major diplomatic boost for Sierra Leone’s growing role in regional peacekeeping and law enforcement collaborations.
In a statement released by the SLP Communications Unit, IGP Sellu emphasized the importance of revitalizing WAPCCO structures to reflect modern security dynamics and foster collective regional resilience.
“The reactivation of WAPCCO sub-committees is critical for enhancing cooperation, intelligence sharing, and operational readiness across West Africa. As chairman, I am committed to driving this agenda forward,” Sellu stated.
The ECOWAS Police Roster, once finalized, is expected to serve as a key pillar in the region’s security architecture. It aims to improve interoperability among member states, reinforce peacekeeping frameworks, and align national police efforts with international standards.
Security analysts have welcomed Sierra Leone’s active participation, noting that the country’s post-conflict transformation and policing reforms offer valuable lessons for regional integration and peacebuilding efforts.
The SLP’s involvement in shaping the roster signals not only institutional maturity but also a strategic push toward deeper regional leadership in peace and security matters.
