IGP Commissions TOCU Forensic Lab
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. William Fayia Sellu, on 2 July 2026 commissioned a modern Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) Forensic Laboratory at Hastings to strengthen scientific investigations and improve criminal justice outcomes in Sierra Leone.
The new facility is expected to enhance evidence-based investigations, particularly in cases involving transnational organised crime and illicit drug trafficking. It also provides improved working space for forensic operations and administrative offices.
Speaking at the ceremony, IGP Sellu described the laboratory as a major step in strengthening forensic capacity within the Sierra Leone Police. He said forensic evidence remains one of the most reliable forms of evidence in court and will help improve prosecution success rates.
He explained that the laboratory was relocated from Connaught Hospital to Hastings to ensure full police control over forensic equipment and operations. He also directed that trained forensic officers be redeployed to revive the dormant laboratory at Police Headquarters in Kingtom.
IGP Sellu further called on officers to specialise in their fields and focus on institution-building, noting that the project is part of wider efforts to modernise policing infrastructure and training.
The Executive Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Chief Andrew Jaiah Kaikai, praised the initiative, describing it as a strategic investment in the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime.
The Head of CID, ACP Alieu Jalloh, also highlighted the importance of forensic science in modern policing, stating that it provides more reliable evidence than eyewitness accounts.
The event was attended by senior police officers, security agencies, and partner institutions, who all stressed the importance of collaboration in tackling transnational crime and strengthening national security.
