Kamakwie Police Officer Dismissed for Assaulting Girlfriend, Faces Potential Criminal Charges

 

In a landmark public hearing held yesterday, Police Constable PC 16023 Alhassan Tejan Kamara, an Operational Support Division (OSD) officer at the Kamakwie Police Division, pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting his girlfriend. The hearing, ordered by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu, was conducted in public at the Kamakwie Police Station to demonstrate the Sierra Leone Police's commitment to zero tolerance for domestic violence.

Following the hearing, the presiding officer recommended the immediate dismissal of PC Kamara, pending the approval of the IGP. The officer may face further legal action under the country's Domestic Violence Act of 2007, with criminal charges potentially being brought against him.

The incident, which occurred on September 1st, 2024, involved a brutal assault of PC Kamara's girlfriend. The complainant provided testimony during the hearing, which included details of the injuries she sustained.

The public hearing was designed to be transparent, with the residents of Kamakwie present to witness the police disciplinary process firsthand. 

The IGP's decision to hold the hearing in public underscores his commitment to holding officers accountable for their actions and building public trust in the police force.

The charge sheet, photographs of the perpetrator, the public hearing, and the victim's injuries were all made available to the public.

This public display of disciplinary action serves as a strong deterrent against domestic violence and a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated within the Sierra Leone Police.