By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Officer, ACC
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), on Monday, 29th June 2026, charged 551 Sierra Leone Police recruits undergoing training at the Sierra Leone International Peacekeeping and Law Enforcement Academy (SILEA), Hastings, to uphold integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their duties and to support the national fight against corruption.
The lecture, delivered by the ACC's Coordinator of Operations, Patrick Sandi, was in response to an invitation from the Sierra Leone Police for strategic public institutions to acquaint recruits with their respective mandates, operational frameworks and areas of collaboration ahead of their passing-out.
In his presentation, Mr. Sandi traced the history of the ACC from its establishment in 2000 and highlighted the legal and institutional reforms that have strengthened the Commission over the years, particularly the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008 as amended in 2019. He explained that pursuant to Section 7 of the Act, the Commission is mandated to take all steps necessary to prevent, suppress and eradicate corruption and corrupt practices in Sierra Leone.
He noted that the Commission's mandate extends far beyond investigations and prosecutions, stressing that prevention remains the cornerstone of an effective anti-corruption regime. According to him, this is why the Commission continues to implement innovative interventions, including the Scorpion Squad, alongside other strategic measures aimed at tackling and eradicating the scourge of corruption.
Mr. Sandi further highlighted the Commission's key preventive interventions, including public education and community engagement, the Assets Declaration regime, implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), systems and processes reviews, corruption risk assessments, Integrity Management Committees and other institutional reform initiatives designed to strengthen transparency, accountability and integrity across public institutions.
Speaking on the Commission's enforcement mandate, Mr. Sandi explained the ACC's investigative and prosecutorial powers and underscored the importance of strong inter-agency collaboration in combating corruption. He noted that the Commission enjoys an excellent working relationship with the Sierra Leone Police, with both institutions providing mutual operational support in the execution of their respective mandates. He explained that the Police regularly assist the Commission with instituting arrests and other law enforcement operations, while suspects arrested by the ACC are, where necessary, kept in lawful custody at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and other Police formations pending further legal processes.
"We have very high expectations of you, which is why we engage you at this stage. As future police officers, you have a critical responsibility to uphold integrity, enforce the law without fear or favour, and partner with the Commission in protecting the public interest" he admonished.
He also sensitized the recruits on the Whistleblower and Witness Protection Regulations, which is now in force, explaining the legal protections available to persons who report corruption in good faith. He encouraged the recruits to cultivate a culture of accountability by reporting corrupt practices whenever they encounter them, assuring them that the law guarantees protection for whistleblowers acting in the public interest.
Mr. Sandi concluded by providing the Commission's toll-free reporting lines of 077 985 985, 077 986 986 and 8515,
On behalf of colleague recruits, Kelfala Mansaray expressed appreciation for the insights shared on the Commission's work and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the fight against corruption as they prepare to join the Sierra Leone Police.
