The current Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Fayiah Sellu, is expected to retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60 on 26th September 2026. As per civil service regulations, all civil servants are required to retire at the age of 60, unless otherwise stated. The Sierra Leone Police, known for its adherence to best practices, has consistently upheld this policy over the years.
It is worth recalling that during the leadership of the late President Dr. Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) spearheaded a thorough transformation of the police institution, leading to significant improvements in its professionalism and public image.
Similarly, under the current SLPP administration, led by President Rtd. Brigadier Dr. Julius Maada Bio, there has been a strong commitment to institutional integrity and the enforcement of professional ethics. This administration has made it clear that no individual is above the rules, and there should be no attempt to extend the tenure of civil servants beyond the mandatory retirement age.
These are principles that have strengthened the credibility of public institutions, particularly the Sierra Leone Police, and are widely respected.
The legacy of IGP William Fayiah Sellu is expected to be documented and published in the days following his retirement. However, it is important to note that the Sierra Leone Police is home to many young, energetic, intelligent, and capable officers who are well-positioned to take up the mantle of leadership.
Any attempt to extend IGP Sellu’s tenure, as he is reportedly lobbying for, would not only undermine the institution’s long-standing policies but also demoralize other deserving officers whose chances of progression would be unjustly stalled. Such a move would risk further fragmenting an institution already perceived as divided under his leadership.
