The Role of Information and Communication Technologies ICTs in Combating Crime in Sierra Leone

Introduction

I.C.Ts is important in the world generally and developing countries to be specific. I.C.Ts have created significant impact in many areas with regards to national development. Whenever we have a look at the economy of the united states, education, religion, Social Science and Technology we can see that I.C.Ts have contributed a lot in improving these areas. You may have a tendency to wonder how but as you read along you will understand and start to see the importance of I.C.Ts in developing countries (Johnson, 2008).

I.C.Ts make reference to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. It really is similar to it (I.T), but focuses primarily on communication technologies. This consists of the internet, wireless networks, mobile phones, along with other communication mediums (Marke, 2003).

I.C.Ts are worried mainly with information management that is, acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by way of a microelectronics based communication of computer and telecommunication as its main fields (Julliet, 2001).

The Role of ICTs in Organisations

If any organization just like the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Sierra Leone is to grow and develop then there should be effective and efficient communication in the organisation. Information whether it's pictorial, textual, written or vocal form through which an information is communication from top to bottom or the reviser for the effective running of the business the use of I. C. T. is very important because it makes it very easy through the use of cell phone, computers along with other devices that we use to communicate information is due to the fact that we've what we call I. C. Ts. (Johnson 2008).

? Through I. C.Ts. technology user might have quick access to information through an e-mail through by this it save enough time of the staff just through by visiting his/her e-mail address he/she will find out about the latest development in Criminal Investigation Department, without likely to his/her or boss for information;

? I. C. Ts. have played very vital role in social media marketing activities and the use of internet through the years in fact it is still making positive impact in our society today. Without I.C.Ts;

? I.C.Ts. have managed to get possible for a person in a single country to order goods from a different country, electronically from the second and pay for it electronically in a third.

I. C.Ts. Have changed the world industrial revolution forms from the mine tenth century which change is permanent, since it creates new economic activities, new relations of production, new political forces, new job, and new outlook of life;

? I.C.Ts. have plays great role in the health sector of Criminal Investigation

Department by improving on healthcare awareness delivery and public awareness on important ailment. Through I. C. Ts. you can can have access to medical information and trained specialists can reduce suffering and saves lives (Peter, 2005).

Historical background of the (C. I.D) in Sierra Leone

The Sierra Leone POLICE is the brainchild of the British government. Its inception dates as far back as to 1808 when Freetown was declared a British Crown Colony. In the absence of a formal organized body to help keep the peace, some retired British Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates were appointed by Magistrates to come to Sierra Leone to keep up law and order. Between 1863-1888 the then Police Force had metamorphosed as a way to address the ugly incidents, that have been rearing their heads especially through the 1881 Koya and 1888 Sherbro disturbances. These disturbances resulted in the development of police along the frontier. In 1889, therefore, the authorities was divided- military and frontier duties were taken over by the Frontier Police white Civilian duties were left with the Frontier Police subsequently became known as the Court Messenger Force, and were made in charge of the colony.

On the 27th October 1894, in the Royal Gazette of that date, the civil police in the colony received the designation "The Sierra Leone Police Force" - (S. L.P.F) which includes remained unchanged to this day. Captain V.F. Laphan was seconded from the Army to control the police force, with the rank of superintendent and Mr. Brooks, a metropolitan police officer, was appointed inspector of police. In 1909 superintendent Brooks was appointed the initial commissioner of police.

No real significant strides occurred in the force, until, Mr. C. H. Ward, (O.B.E.) Superintendent of Police from Nigerian, took over command of the force as Commissioner of Police form Captain P. T. Brodie, in 1943. The effectiveness of the force was 300, including two (2) expatriates, the Commissioner and the Assistant Commissioner and Africans filled the rest another ranks. The serious civil disturbances resulted in the quick introduction of the Riot Squad that was subsequently trained to contain further riots. Mr. Ward raised the strength to 600 which created a welcome and overdue upsurge in promotion chances. For the first time Africans were promoted to the rank of Assistant superintendent of Police (A. S. P) and a fleet of vehicles comprising cars, lorries, motor cycle and bicycles was later obtained.

He started the proper training school at Port Loko in 1944, which was later transferred to the naval camp at hasting where it stands even today. He also started local communications between police departments and finally replace this by a police wireless communication system which today cover the whole country. Mr. Ward was succeeded by J. P. I. Forde who raised the strength to 1 1,000, sent the first African sub-inspector to train a Henden which continued thenceforth. He introduced the initial proper FORCE STANDING ORDERS (F. S. O.) the police FEDERATION and POLICE COUNICIL. In 1952 Mr. W. G. Syer took over and wasted no time in taking policing to the provinces which led to its expansion. He affiliated the authorities force to International Police Organization (INTERPOL) and disbanded the Riot Squad, there by introducing a system in which every police officer was taught not duties regardless of what portion of the force he may be attached to.

Between 1963-1969 Mr. L. W. Leigh became the initial Sierra Leonean Commissioner of Police and under his leadership a police Act was established in 1964 that was designed to consolidate and amend the laws relating to the Sierra Leone police force that's, the protection of life and property, the prevention and detection of crime and the apprehension of offenders between 1969-1972, Mr. Jenkins M.E.G Smith became the second Sierra Leone commissioner of police who led the force through Republic in 1971.

The uniform at the moment consisted of grey shorts and grey jacket with black shoes and cummerbund. Section 174 of the Sierra Leone Constitution of 1978 changed the traditional role of the force by the appointment of the ten Commissioners of Police, Mr. P. C. Kaetu Smith [1973- 1979] among the seven (7) appointed members of parliament by the Executive president, thus politicizing the role of the police force.

Between 1981- 1984, Honorable C Kaetu Smith was succeeded by Hon. J. A. Grant. In 1986, Hon. P. M. Johnson becomes the first inspector - General of police. On the very first of January, 1987, the force was re- divisionalized into police divisions each division being represented by letters, which range from "A" to "N" and each division commanded by way of a chief police officer [C. P. O]. These were further sub-divided into police Districts and placed directly under the command of the officer commanding districts [o/c] who may be a Deputy Superintendent of police or Assistant Superintendent of Police (A.S.P.).

In 1987 Hon. James Bambay Kamara succeeded by Mr. P.M. Johnson. In December, 1991, in a bid to redeem the nice image of the Sierra Leone POLICE which had seriously dented by politics, the British Government sent Mr. Keith Lewis, a retired British Superintendent of Police to restructure the force. A number of police courses were then introduced in to the curriculum so as to enhance the force in policing today's democratic society classes like the Junior and Senior Management Courses Trainers course, criminal investigation Department course referred to as the Yorkshire Course was introduced which went a long way to restructure the authorities.

The democratically elected Government of Dr. Ahmed Tejan Kabba in 1996 solicited the services of the British Government to help further restructure the Sierra Leone POLICE. The British Government responded by sending a team referred to as the Commonwealth Police Development Task Force. which was headed by the Inspector-General of police, Mr. Kieth Biddle.Under the dynamic leadership of the British born Inspector- General of police, the Sierra Leone police force is gradually regained the confidence of the general public through the change management under the new restructured program, in order that the force can become "Force For Good' which is its known for today. (Sierra Leone Police Prospectus 2014).

Activities of Criminal Investigation Department (CID)

The following are the activities untaken by CID of the Sierra Leone Police:

Documentation

Crimes scene investigators are charged with the responsibility of formally documenting the crime scene. This documentation is usually permanent and constitutes the state record of the investigation. It might be forwarded to officers and law enforcement agencies for further use and investigation. Documentation includes photograph, diagrams and sketches, and written notes. At this stage, the crimes scene investigation usually make some type of initial interpretation of the data accessible and document the actions taken by the investigators at the actions taken by the investigators at the scene Effective documentation permits an accurate re-party, such as a forensics team.

Legal Duties

The investigator must perform a variety of legal duties with regards to previous work. Predicated on their investigation, crime scene investigators help lawyers along with other legal officials prepare criminal proceedings. They normally meet to describe their official reports and the evidence, making certain it's understood. Investigators are also called to testify in court, where they're the foremost authority on which was found on the scene and what conclusions were drawn.

They must be able to explain what the evidence means and just why certain conclusions seem compelling predicated on investigation. Crime scene investigators must know about National and state laws sufficient reason for relevant case law to put the evidence in perspective.

Evidence Collection

Once the scene has been secured, surveyed and documented, the crime scene investigator leads an attempt to get relevant evidence. This technique could be slow and requires a lot of patience, plus the capability to effectively communicate and collaborate with others. An capability to properly and delicately deploy equipment is paramount here. Evidence, such as for example articles of clothing hair, nail clippings and fiber samples, should be collected in such a manner that its integrity is preserved. Labeled and sealed pouches keep up with the integrity of the data along with the chain of custody. The investigator is in charge of maintaining the integrity of the crime scene by roping off the region, keeping witnesses from tampering with evidence and making spots where evidence was collected.

Search

The initial search, also known as scene recognition, may be the first walkthrough that or crime scene investigator takes. Upon the first examination, the crime scene investigator develops a technique to approach the scene and apprehend evidence. This may include factors such as for example what directing to go in, prioritizing evidence that might disappear or be harmed; and determining what equipment and resources are essential to effectively take stock of the situation. The crime scene investigator can assemble and lead the team to investigate the scene and collect evidence. Murder scenes, for instance, may require investigators to collect blood and tissue samples, fingerprint, shoe casings. A robbery may require fingerprints, from points of entry and other surfaces the burglar could have touched.

Examples of ICTs used by the C I D

In modern times, policing has been done with the utilization of technological items to enable them carryout their activities with the ease and for effective and efficient service delivery. ICTs. make reference to technologies that provide access to information, through telecommunication which is similar to information technology (I T), but here focus is primarily on communication technologies. This consists of the internet, wireless networks, cell phones and other communication media The following information communication technologies are used by the CID of the Sierra Leone police

? Closed-Circuit television (CCTV): to monitor events/ happenings within their areas of responsibilities also to be utilized as pictorial/ visual evidence in court and for records purposes.

? Digital Cameras: these are used to take snap shots of enable effective and efficient investigations with real evidence to be tendered in court as evidence.

? Drivers: they are used to save/keep useful information regarding an investigation such as progress reports, abstract reports, summary of evidence, and proceedings/rulings in regards to a matter.

? Photo Copiers: they're primarily used to duplicate reports along with other documents to be distributed to various authorities concerned for his or her personal directives and necessary action.

? Scanners: these are most common now because of terrorist threats and will be used for humans, cars and for baggage's in order to detect / prevent crime and worries of crime and to restore confidence in the populace. It can be used to detect any offensive objects/ weapons and to prevent any mishap.

? Computers: are now popular to investigate criminal worldwide. With the aid of computers, the Interpol can track criminals out of every continent and the many police headquarters can liaise with each other to achieve the desired outcome. Also, could computing has been so much influential investigations so as to locate the where about of criminals also to track their acts/actions and accomplices.

Problems associated with the usage of ICTs and information delivery of the CID in the Sierra Leone Police.

? Power Challenges: Lack of consistent and affordable electricity is the foremost challenge in designing a computing infrastructure for criminal information (or any application that matter). The vast majority of criminal investigation facilities in the criminal investigation department haven't any main power and, where available, such power is normally extremely unreliable or so unstable that it poses a threat to unprotected electronic equipment.

? Environmental Challenges: The physical environment in Sierra Leone and generally in most other areas in the united kingdom is seen as a some mix of heat, dust and humidity, all of which is a problem for standard computers. High speed Central Processing Units generate large numbers of heat that, if not properly dissipated, reduces performance or can render these systems in operable. Dust threatens sensitive electronics by shorting circuits and impeding airflow and heat dissipation. Humidity results in condensation corrosion and also mold, all of which can cause electrical problems and possibly shorten equipment lifespan.

? Connectivity Challenges: Insufficient affordable connectivity and bandwidth in the primary obstacle to several of the most promising criminal investigation applications in the CID, including training initiatives along with other real- time support Insufficient connectivity also complicates more basic efforts to get and analyse criminal information.

CONCLUSION

It really is increasingly clear that information is the life blood of the CID system. Accurate, timely and accessible crime information strengthens literally every section of the system, from policy making, to logistic and training. In contrast, inefficient crime information systems suffer from an information anemia that weakens the machine.

Sadly, all too many crime systems in the developing world still have problems with the equivalent information shock, a system threaten condition characterized by the inability to create access or act on even probably the most essential crime information. Success or failure of ICTs deployment in Criminal Investigation Department depends on usage of affordable, integrated solutions which are both sustainable in low resource setting and adaptable to local condition invented is actively developing and deploying such system specially to address this need. Hence, it is quite necessary to note that ICTs play a critical and crucial role in enhancing the successful provision, management and delivery of information in combating crimes.

References

Johnson, Jade (2008). ICTs in Developing Nations. London: Aslib.

Julliet, Roy (2001). The Impact of ICTs in the Educational Sector. London: Sage Publication Limited.

Marke, Richard (2003). ICTs in Education. London: ASLIB.

Peter, Jones (2005). Information Management. London: Oxford University Press.

Sierra Leone Police Prospectus (2014). Freetown: Government Printing Department.