The Inspector General of Police, William Fayai Sellu, has appointed Chief Superintendent of Police, Joe Kamanda Bongay, as the new Local Unit Commander of Waterloo Division in the Western Rural District.
CSP Bongay, who worked in the Operations Support Division (OSD) for over twenty years, has now been given a bigger responsibility to oversee the security situation in the Western Rural District.
Speaking to this medium, CSP Bongay lauded IGP Sellu for giving him the opportunity to serve the Police in that capacity.
He said the crime rate in his division is under control. He promised to consolidate the gains that his administration had made in the last couple of months as he will try to ensure that the people of Waterloo go about their normal businesses almost every day unhindered.
“Generally speaking, we have drastically reduced the crime rate in the entire division. Waterloo is now one of the most peaceful areas in the Western Rural District,” CSP Bongay said, adding that they are working closely with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) deployed at Bengurma, to bring peace in the area, especially with critical security situations,” he vowed.
CSP Bongay said he was learning a lot in his new assignment, noting that during his days at the OSD, he was purely dealing with armed personnel matters as contrary to his new assignment, but he belives, it builds his career in peace and security.
“Now, I have at the CID, Community Relations, Family Support Unit, I Branch, OSD Wing among others with a broader mandate and scope which makes my job more challenging. But with the presence of God, I am moving gradually and becoming versatile in all areas of policing,” he said.
In the area of discipline, he said, everybody knew that he is a very disciplined officer, adding that he would not compromise his standards and urged his personnel to emulate his good examples to ensuring a better policing. He commended IGP Sellu for showing good leadership traits over the years, something he said he said solely responsible for the several accolades the police are receiving in recnt times.
“All police personnel have the responsibility to protect the people. We are being paid from the taxes government is generating and we must be seen seeking the interest of the government and the people of Sierra Leone,” he said. CSP Bongay called on police officers to take their work very seriously, adding that the peace and stability of the nation is more important than individuals’ interests.
He commended the community for adhering to the policies and laws of the government and the State. He urged them not to take the laws into their hands but to always seek police’s interventions in handling matters.
“I have an open door policy. I am always ready and willing to work with the people to ensure the prevalence of peace and stability in my area of operation. Don’t hesitate to pass vital information of Police interest to my office for quick intervention”.