Allegations of corruption continue to plague the Sierra Leone Police Force especially the traffic department at the Regent Police checkpoint, where drivers report routine harassment and demands for money from officers tasked with ensuring road safety.
Motorists traveling along the busy Regent and Jui Highway say the checkpoint has become less about enforcing traffic laws and more about extorting cash from vulnerable drivers. Several commuters described being stopped for minor or fabricated infractions, only to be pressured into paying “fees” to avoid lengthy delays or threats of arrest.
“I was told my papers were not in order, even though everything was valid,” said one driver, who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation. “The officer made it clear that if I didn’t pay, I wouldn’t be allowed to continue.”
Local transport unions have raised concerns that the practice is not only illegal but also undermines public trust in law enforcement. They argue that the checkpoint has become a symbol of systemic corruption, where officers exploit their authority to line their pockets rather than protect the public.
Passengers have called on the Sierra Leone Police leadership to investigate the allegations and hold accountable those found guilty of misconduct. A senior civil servant warns that unchecked corruption at checkpoints contributes to broader issues of lawlessness and erodes confidence in state institutions.
For now, drivers continue to approach the Regent checkpoint with trepidation, bracing themselves for what many describe as an unavoidable “toll” imposed by those sworn to uphold the law.