Concord Times (Freetown)
Mohamed Massaquoi
20 November 2008
Kenema — Residents of Kenema Friday registered their frustration over the attitude of some police officers who are harassing bike riders and passengers for the use of crash helmet in the township.
It was alleged that police officers are using the traffic offence as a way to extort money from riders and passengers.
Hassan Bah, a businessman, disclosed that he was arrested by an officer who requested a bribe of Le30, 000 or being taken to the police station. Bah said he travelled out of the township before the police intensified their raids but was forced to pay an amount of Le30, 000 to an unidentified police officer before he was released.
"Even though I explained to them my circumstances the officers requested for Le30, 000 otherwise I would be taken to the station and subsequently charged to court," he said.
Bah said more than 25 people were arrested and charged to court because they failed to adhere to the syndicate of the officers. "All of those charged to court were convicted and fined with the sum of Le150, 000 each," he said.
Alhaji Bassie, a religious leader, also complained about the use of helmet by multiple individuals. "Our concern as religious authorities is the use of one helmet by both male and female at almost the same time," he said.
Bassie noted that the continuous harassment meted on them by the police is not acceptable. He called on government for an immediate intervention as the excessive use of power by the police will lead to serious confrontation especially when most of the riders are ex-combatants.
When contacted the police media unit of the Kenema police for comment PC 10322 Kamara said they have intensified raids to crackdown on riders and passengers who fail to use crash helmet but however denied allegation that police are taken bribe.
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