DOCSLIB.ORG

Sierra Leone: a Country Review of Crime and Criminal Justice, 2008

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Sierra Leone: a Country Review of Crime and Criminal Justice, 2008 Sierra Leone A country review of crime and criminal justice, 2008 African Human Security Initiative Monograph 160 May 2009 Contents Acknowledgements . v Foreword . vi List of tables . viii List of acronyms . ix Executive summary . xii Chapter 1 Introduction . 1 Overviewx . 1 Aims and objectives of the review . 3 Methodology . 3 The Sierra Leone legal system . 5 Human rights and the criminal justice system . 6 Chapter 2 Policing . 9 Introduction . 9 The Sierra Leone Police: a background . 10 Constitutional and institutional framework of the Sierra Leone Police . 11 Sierra Leone Police command structure . 17 The eff ectiveness of the Sierra Leone Police in combating crime . 21 Police/community partnerships in combating crime . 22 Incidence of corruption in the Sierra Leone Police . 23 Public perception of the Sierra Leone Police . 24 Monograph 160 i Sierra Leone: A country review of crime and criminal justice, 2008 Decentralisation of the Sierra Leone Police . 24 Politicisation of the Sierra Leone Police . 25 Disciplinary measures in the Sierra Leone Police . 26 The Police Act and the needs of modern-day policing . 26 Underfunding of the Sierra Leone Police . 27 Use of bail, arrest without warrant and corruption . 28 Constraints militating against eff ective policing in Sierra Leone . 29 Recommendations . 29 Chapter 3 Prosecution . 31 Introduction . 31 Constitutional framework of the prosecution services . 32 Institutional arrangements of the prosecution services . 33 Prosecution and the shortage of State Counsels . 35 Links between the Offi ce of the Director of Public Prosecutions and other agencies . 36 Problem areas in the prosecution services . 36 Summary of prosecutorial problems in Sierra Leone . 37 Recommendations . 38 Chapter 4 Prisons . 39 Introduction . 39 Constitutional and legal framework of the Prisons Service . 40 Prison conditions and the treatment of prisoners . 41 Arrests and prosecutions. 44 Prisons Service administration and budgets . 49 Compliance with international protocols and conventions . 53 Summary of fi ndings . 56 Recommendations . 56 Chapter 5 The Judiciary . 59 Introduction and background . 59 ii Institute for Security Studies African Human Security initiative The juridical framework and structure of the judiciary . 63 Independence of the judiciary . 64 The death penalty in Sierra Leone . 66 The institutional capacity of the judiciary . 67 Conclusions . 70 Recommendations . 71 Chapter 6 Access to justice . 73 General overview on access to justice in Sierra Leone . 73 Access to justice for children in confl ict with the law . 77 Access to justice for women . 77 Access to justice for the marginalised . 79 Other eff orts to make justice accessible . 82 Recommendations . 85 Chapter 7 Juvenile justice . 87 Introduction . 87 Constitutional and institutional arrangements for delivering juvenile justice . 88 Lack of appropriate training . 99 Institutional capacity and statutory safeguards . 99 Juvenile justice reforms . 100 Domestication of human rights legislation concerning juveniles . 102 Implementation problems . 103 Summary of fi ndings . .104 Recommendations . ..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Submission to the Senior Salaries Review Body January 2016
    The National Police Chiefs’ Council Submission to the Senior Salaries Review Body January 2016 1 NPCC submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body 2016 Contents Contents……………………………………………………………………………………2 Executive Summary The Policing Landscape……………………………………………………………….....4 1. Operational Context…………………………………………………………………7 1.1. Recorded Crime 1.2. The Changing Risk 1.3. National Threats 1.4. The Terrorist Threat 1.5. Demand on the Police 1.6. Summary of Operational Findings 2. Organisational Context……………………………………………………………. 14 2.1. National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) 2.2. National Design Advisory Group (NDAG) 2.3. Structural Reform and Specialist Capabilities 2.4. Police Efficiency 2.5. Summary of Organisational Findings 3. The Financial Context……………………………………………………………....17 3.1. Summary of Financial Findings 4. The Workforce………………………………………………………………………. 20 4.1. The Workforce Context 4.2. Gender 4.3. Ethnicity 4.4. Recruitment 4.5. Entry Routes into Policing 4.6. Leavers 4.7. Severance 4.8. Attendance 4.9. Morale 4.10. Wellbeing 4.11. Summary of Workforce Findings 5. Workforce Reform………………………………………………………………….. 33 5.1. Future options for Change 5.2. Update on Winsor Reform 5.3. Reforming the Powers of Police Staff and Volunteers 5.4. Enabling Closer Working Between the Emergency Services 5.5. Policing Education Qualification Framework (PEQF) 5.6. College of Policing Leadership Review 5.7. Workforce Futures 5.8. Pension Changes 5.9. Tax Changes 5.10. Home Secretary’s Direction in the PRRB Remit Letter for 2016/17 5.11. Summary of Workforce Reform Findings 6. 2016 Proposals……………………………………………………………………… 40 6.1. Pay Proposals 2 NPCC submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body 2016 6.2.
    [Show full text]
  • Policy Guidance on Support to Policing in Developing Countries
    POLICY GUIDANCE ON SUPPORT TO POLICING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Ian Clegg, Robert Hunt and Jim Whetton November 2000 Centre for Development Studies University of Wales, Swansea Swansea SA2 8PP [email protected] http://www.swansea.ac.uk/cds ISBN 0 906250 617 Policy Guidance on Support to Policing in Developing Countries ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are grateful for the support of the Department for International Development, (DFID), London, who funded this work for the benefit of developing/ transitional countries. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily of DFID. It was initially submitted to DFID in November 1999 as a contribution to their policy deliberations on Safety, Security and Accessible Justice. It is now being published more widely in order to make it available to countries and agencies wishing to strengthen programmes in this field. At the same time, DFID are publishing their general policy statement on SSAJ, (DFID, 2000). Our work contributes to the background material for that statement. We are also most grateful to the authors of the specially commissioned papers included as Annexes to this report, and to the police advisers and technical cooperation officers who contributed to the survey reported in Annex B. It will be obvious in the text how much we are indebted to them all. This report is the joint responsibility of the three authors. However, Ian Clegg and Jim Whetton of CDS, University of Wales, Swansea, would like to express personal thanks to co-author Robert Hunt, OBE, QPM, former Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, London, for contributing his immense practical experience of policing and for analysing the survey reported in Annex B.
    [Show full text]
  • CRVA Report – Sierra Leone
    Country Risk and Vulnerability Assessment SIERRA LEONE DECEMBER 2017 ECOWAS COMMISSION COMMISSION DE LA CEDEAO COMMISSÃO DA CEDEAO Country Risk and Vulnerability Assessment: Sierra Leone | 1 DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. Cover photo accessed under CC0/Public Domain License from goodfreephotos.com Table of Contents Acronyms and Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................... 4 Message from the President of the ECOWAS Commission .................................................................................... 6 Statement from the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission ......................................................................... 7 Preface ...................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................................. 9 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 10 Research Process ..............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Police Ordinance, 1950
    1538 Cap. 150] Police CHAPTER 150. POLICE. ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS. SECTION. 1. Short title, commencement and application. 2. Interpretation. pART H.-CONSTITUTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF THE FORCE. 3. Establishment of Police Force. 4. General duties of the Police. 5. Constitution of the Force. 6. Appointment of Commissioner of Police. 7. (1) Appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police. (2) Appointment of Acting Commissioner. 8. Delegation by Commissioner. PART IlL-GENERAL ADMINISTRATION. 9. Oaths for Officers. 10. Enlistment of Constables. 11. Declaration. 12. (1) Re-engagement. (8) Discharge or dismissal of Police. 13. Supernumerary constables. 14. Enlistment of special constables. 15. Powers duties and rank. 16. Equipment. 17. Refusal to serve or to obey lawful orders. 18. Power to terminate services. PART IV.-POWERS OF POLICE OFFICERS. 19. Prosecutions. 20. Power to arrest without having warrant in possession. 21. Summonses. 22. Fingerprints. 23. Power to close licensed premises in case of riot. 24. Provisions only to apply when put in force by proclamation. (1) Dispersal of assemblage in the public streets, etc: (2) Persons found in street in possession of sticks for the purpose of assisting in a disturbance. (3) Persons using provocative words . 25. Power to stop processions. 26. Power to regulate processions. 27. Traffic. 28. Idle and disorderly persons. PART V.-POLICE FIRE BRIGADES. 29. Police Fire Brigades. 30. Duties of Fire Commissioners and Police. Police [Cap. 150 1539 31. Establishment of Police Fire Brigades. 32. Authority vested in the senior Fire Commissioners. 33. Closing streets and removing persons. 34. Powers in relation to buildings. 35. Penalty for interference. 36.
    [Show full text]
  • Consolidating Peace Liberia and Sierra Leone Consolidating Peace: Liberia and Sierra Leone Issue 23 Accord 23 Issue an International Review of Peace Initiatives
    Accord Logo using multiply on layers 23 issue issue Logo drawn as Issue editors seperate elements Accord with overlaps an international review of peace initiatives coloured seperately Elizabeth Drew and Alexander Ramsbotham 2012 Consolidating peace Liberia and Sierra Leone Consolidating peace: Consolidating peace: Liberia and Sierra Leone Liberia and Sierra issue issue 23 23 Accord issue an international review of peace initiatives Consolidating peace Liberia and sierra Leone March 2012 // Issue editors Elizabeth Drew and Alexander Ramsbotham Accord // Issue 23 // www.c-r.org Published by Conciliation Resources, to inform and strengthen peace processes worldwide by documenting and analysing the lessons of peacebuilding Published by Acknowledgements Conciliation Resources Conciliation Resources would like to give 173 Upper Street, London N1 1RG special thanks for editorial and project advice and assistance provided by Carolyn Norris and www.c-r.org Sofia Goinhas. Telephone +44 (0) 207 359 7728 In addition we extend grateful thanks to our Fax +44 (0) 207 359 4081 authors, peer reviewers, photographers and Email [email protected] all those who have contributed to the conception UK charity registration number 1055436 and production of this publication: Eldridge Adolfo, Harold Aidoo, Ecoma Alaga, Editors Natalie Ashworth, Conrad Bailey, Catherine Elizabeth Drew and Alexander Ramsbotham Barley, Abu Brima, Rachel Cooper, Lisa Denney, Executive Director Said Djinnit, Sam Gbaydee Doe, Rasheed Draman, Andy Carl Comfort Ero, Richard Fanthorpe, Lans
    [Show full text]
  • Chief Constables' Council Minutes
    Chief Constables' Council Minutes Wednesday 11 – Thursday 12 July 2018, London Security classification: Official Authors: Susan Paterson, Richard Hampson, Ben Gasson and Richard Cooper Force/organisation: National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) Date created 17 July 2018 Attendees CC Sara Thornton NPCC Chair DCC Sarah Crew Avon and Somerset CC Alec Wood Cambridgeshire A/CC Janette McCormick Cheshire Commissioner Ian Dyson City of London CC Mike Veale Cleveland DCC Mark Webster Cumbria CC Peter Goodman Derbyshire CC Shaun Sawyer Devon and Cornwall CC James Vaughan Dorset CC Mike Barton Durham DCC Darren Davies Dyfed-Powys CC Stephen Kavanagh Essex CC Rod Hansen Gloucestershire DCC Ian Pilling Greater Manchester ACC Rhiannon Kirk Gwent DCC Sara Glen Hampshire CC Charlie Hall Hertfordshire DCC Chris Rowley Humberside CC Andrew Rhodes Lancashire CC Simon Cole Leicestershire DCC Craig Naylor Lincolnshire CC Andy Cooke Merseyside Cmsr Cressida Dick Metropolitan Police Service AC Neil Basu Metropolitan Police Service AC Helen Ball Metropolitan Police Service AC Martin Hewitt Metropolitan Police Service CC Mark Polin North Wales CC Simon Edens Northamptonshire National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) 1st Floor, 10 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0NN - 020 3276 3795 CC Craig Guildford Nottinghamshire CC Winton Keenan Northumbria T/CC Lisa Winward North Yorkshire CC Matt Jukes South Wales CC Stephen Watson South Yorkshire CC Gareth Morgan Staffordshire CC Gareth Wilson Suffolk CC Nicholas Ephgrave Surrey ACC Jeremy Burton Surrey CC Giles York Sussex CC
    [Show full text]
  • The Constitution of Sierra Leone Act, 1991
    CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENT SUPPLEMENT TO THE SIERRA LEONE GAZETTE EXTRAORIDARY VOL. CXXXVIII, NO. 16 dated 18th April, 2007 CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENT NO. 5 OF 2007 Published 18th April, 2007 THE CONSTITUTION OF SIERRA LEONE, 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991) PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS (DECLARATION OF CONSTITUENCIES) Short tittle ORDER, 2007 In exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Subsection (1) of section 38 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991, the Electoral Commission hereby makes the following Order:- For the purpose of electing the ordinary Members of Parliament, Division of Sierra Leone Sierra Leone is hereby divided into one hundred and twelve into Constituencies. constituencies as described in the Schedule. 2 3 Name and Code Description SCHEDULE of Constituency EASTERN REGION KAILAHUN DISTRICT Kailahun This Constituency comprises of the whole of upper Bambara and District part of Luawa Chiefdom with the following sections; Gao, Giehun, Costituency DESCRIPTION OF CONSTITUENCIES 2 Lower Kpombali and Mende Buima. Name and Code Description of Constituency (NEC The constituency boundary starts in the northwest where the Chiefdom Const. 002) boundaries of Kpeje Bongre, Luawa and Upper Bambara meet. It follows the northern section boundary of Mende Buima and Giehun, then This constituency comprises of part of Luawa Chiefdom southwestern boundary of Upper Kpombali to meet the Guinea with the following sections: Baoma, Gbela, Luawa boundary. It follows the boundary southwestwards and south to where Foguiya, Mano-Sewallu, Mofindo, and Upper Kpombali. the Dea and Upper Bambara Chiefdom boundaries meet. It continues along the southern boundary of Upper Bambara west to the Chiefdom (NEC Const. The constituency boundary starts along the Guinea/ Sierra Leone boundaries of Kpeje Bongre and Mandu.
    [Show full text]
  • Sierra Leone Police
    The Integration of a GENDER PERSPECTIVE in the SIERRA LEONE POLICE Dr. Aisha Fofana Ibrahim DCAF DCAF a centre for security, development and the rule of law The Integration of a GENDER PERSPECTIVE in the SIERRA LEONE POLICE Dr. Aisha Fofana Ibrahim DCAF DCAF a centre for security, development and the rule of law SLP Case Study_dps.indd 1 24/12/2012 11:51 Author Dr. Aisha Fofana Ibrahim Editor Ms. Anike Doherty Language editing by Ms. Cherry Ekins Layout by Ms. Alice Lake Hammond: www.alicehammond.com DCAF The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) is an international foundation whose mission is to assist the international community in pursuing good governance and reform of the security sector. The Centre develops and promotes norms and standards, conducts tailored policy research, identifies good practices and recommendations to promote democratic security sector governance, and provides in-country advisory support and practical assistance programmes. Visit us at: www.dcaf.ch DCAF’s Gender and Security Programme DCAF’s gender and security programme works through research, policy and technical advice, and regional projects to support the development of security sectors that meet the security needs of men, women, boys and girls, and the full participation of men and women in security sector institutions and security sector reform processes. Contact us at: [email protected] © DCAF, 2012. The information provided or the views expressed in this publication that are not separately referenced, are the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of DCAF. ISBN: 978-92-9222-232-1 Cite as: Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Police Corruption Is a Universal Problem, but It Is a Particular Challenge in Countries in Crisis and Emerging from Conflict
    UNITeD StateS INSTITUTe of Peace www.usip.org SPeCIAL RePoRT 2301 Constitution Ave., NW • Washington, DC 20037 • 202.457.1700 • fax 202.429.6063 ABOUT THE REPO R T David Bayley and Robert Perito Police corruption is a universal problem, but it is a particular challenge in countries in crisis and emerging from conflict. This report is based on the lessons gleaned from a review of public commissions of inquiry into police misconduct worldwide and their possible application in stability operations, such as those Police Corruption in Iraq and Afghanistan. The study attempts to determine whether past scandals can help us deal more effectively with the contemporary problems of nation building and police reform. What Past Scandals Teach about Current ABOUT THE AUTHO R S Challenges David Bayley is the former dean and current distinguished professor of the School of Criminal Justice at the State University of New York at Albany. He was a member of the International Summary Oversight Commission for police reform in Northern Ireland. Bayley is also a member of the UN Global Police Policy • Police corruption is an international problem. Historically, police misconduct has been a Community advisory group. He is the author of Changing the factor in the development of police institutions worldwide, but it is a particular problem in Guard: Developing Democratic Police Abroad (2006) and other counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations, such as the U.S.-led North Atlantic Treaty books. Robert Perito is the director of the Security Sector Organization police training program in Afghanistan. There, police abuse and corruption Governance Center at the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Sierra Leone.Pdf
    Sierra Leone 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Freetown. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Sierra Leone. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Sierra Leone country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private- sector representatives with an OSAC password. Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Sierra Leone at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to crime. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Overall Crime and Safety Situation Crime Threats The U.S. Department of State has assessed Freetown as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Victims rarely report crimes to the police for fear of reprisal and lack of trust in the systems in place to arrest and prosecute criminals. Robberies, home invasions, assaults, and petty street crimes continue to rise throughout the country. However, the rate of violent crime in Sierra Leone remains comparable with that of other West African countries. Sierra Leone continues to grapple with poverty, rising inflation, and high unemployment rates; this is especially so among the youth, who possess limited job prospects. More than 75% of Sierra Leoneans live below the national poverty line, with most making less than $2 per day. Economic desperation has fueled increases in crime.
    [Show full text]
  • Police Workforce, England and Wales, As at 31 March 2020 Second Edition
    Police workforce, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2020 second edition Introduction C Contents This release is an end-year update of the Police workforce, 1 Key findings ....................................... 1 England and Wales publication series, containing information on police workers in post on 31 March 2020. This release also 2 Introduction ....................................... 2 provides more detailed information on police workers, such as sex, ethnicity and age breakdowns, as well as roles that officers 3 Headline workforce figures ............... 4 perform. 4 Promotions, joiners and leavers ........ 9 While this bulletin contains information on workers as at 31 March 2020, a second statistical bulletin on ‘police officer uplift’ 5 Frontline and local policing ............. 20 has also been published alongside this release. This second release provides information on progress with the recruitment of 6 Diversity .......................................... 27 an additional 20,000 officers in England and Wales as at June 7 Officer wellbeing .............................. 39 2020. Police workforce as at 31 March 2020 • 129,110 full-time equivalent (FTE) officers were in post as at 31 March 2020 in the 43 territorial police forces in England and Wales. Date originally published: • This was an increase of 4.8% on March 2019 (up 5,921 30 July 2020 FTEs from 123,189 officers) and the largest year on year change since 2003/04. Revised: • Excluding transfers, 12,883 police officers (FTE) joined the 25 January 2021 43 territorial police
    [Show full text]
  • MDTA Police Directives Will Be Amended Directives Recently Issued During Roll Call
    Mission: The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Police provides Safety, Security and Service in partnership with the community to all who use and work on MDTA facilities and other vital transportation assets located throughout Maryland. Vision: The MDTA Police will provide transparent, dedicated, professional law enforcement services, in partnership with the citizens that use Maryland’s premier transportation assets. The men and women of the MDTA Police will be held to the highest standards in the law enforcement profession and will uphold our core values of Dedication, Integrity, Mindfulness, Pride, and Service. We will ensure a safe and secure workplace for our co-workers and a safe and secure environment for the public. We will promote a culture of inclusivity through compassion, selfless service, and mindfulness. Core Values: Dedication Commitment to providing fair and equitable treatment to every individual we serve, to include our fellow co-workers Integrity Honest and ethical treatment of all people while holding ourselves and each other accountable in order to ensure the public's trust Mindfulness Attentive to experiences occurring in the present moment without judgement Pride Portraying the agency in a positive manner while conducting ourselves with honor and professionalism Service Unwavering, compassionate service to the public and the community through thoughtful and diligent execution of our duties Goals: Secure Transportation Infrastructures Promote Highway Safety and the Efficient Flow of Traffic Deter and Interdict Criminal Activity and Homeland Security Threats Assist and Educate Customers and Co-Workers with Compassion and Pride Employ, Train, Equip, and Develop a Model Workforce that is Diverse, Healthy, and Mindful Colonel Kevin M.
    [Show full text]