Academy Act , 2017

THE SIERRA LEONE PEACE KEEPING AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY ACT , 2017 Being an Act to provide for the establishment of the Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy and to provide for other related matters. [ ] ENACTED by the President and Members of Parliament in this present Parliament assembled. Date of commencement. No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING DEPARTMENT, SIERRA LEONE. GAZETTE NO. 54 OF 31ST AUGUST, 2017. SIGNED this 25th day of August, 2017. DR. ERNEST BAI KOROMA, President. LS Passed in Parliament this 8th day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand and Seventeen. IBRAHIM S. SESAY, Clerk of Parliament. THIS PRINTED IMPRESSION has been carefully compared by me with the Bill which has passed Parliament and found by me to be a true and correct printed copy of the said Bill. IBRAHIM S. SESAY, Clerk of Parliament. No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 PART 1–PRELIMINARY

"Academy" means the Sierra Leone Peacekeeping and Law Enforcement Academy" established under section 2; "Academic Board" means the Academic Board established under section 8; "Commission" means the Tertiary Education Commission established under section 2 of the Tertiary Education Commission Act, 2001 (Act No. 8 of 2001); "Council" means the Council established under section 6; "Faculty Board" means the Faculty Board established under subsection (2) of section 12; Minister-Means the Minister of Internal Affairs “National Council for Technical, Vocation and Other Awards” mean the National Council for Technical, Vocational and Other Awards established by the National Council for Technical, Vocational and Other Awards Act, 2001 (Act 10 of 2001). "Visitor" means the Inspector-General of Police or a retired senior police officer referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 2. PART II–ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SIERRA LEONE PEACE KEEPING AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY

(1) There is hereby established a body to be known asthe Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy which shall have the following authorities- (a) The Visitor; (b) The Principal; (c) The Vice-Principal; (d) The Council; and (e) The Academic Board. (2) The Academy shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and capable of acquiring, holding and disposing of any property, whether movable or immovable, and of suing and being sued in its corporate name and, subject to this Act, of performing all such acts as bodies corporate may by law perform. (3) The Academy shall have a common seal the use of which shall be authenticated by the signatures of - (a) the Visitor; and (b) the Principal.

(a) the Inspector-General of Police; or (b) a retired senior police officer of high academic distinction not below the rank of Assistant Inspector-General, appointed by the President on the advice of the Minister; (2) The Visitor shall be the titular Head of the Academy on all ceremonial occasions and shall be responsible to confer degrees, diplomas and certificates of the Academy.

Assistant Inspector-General of Police, responsible for training. (2) The Principal shall be the chief academic, administrative officer and vote controller of the Academy and shall be responsible generally to the Council and the Academic Board for maintaining and promoting the efficiency of the Academy. 2 3 Interpretation. Establishment of the Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement The Visitor. T h e Principal. No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 (3) Where the office of the Principal is vacant or, if for any reason, he is unable to perform the duties of that office, those duties shall be performed by the Vice Principal and in the absence of both, the Council shall appoint an academic staff member not below the rank of Superintendent to perform the functions of Principal.

(1) The Academy shall have a Vice-Principal who shall beappointed by the Council from amongst serving Deans of the Faculties. (2) The Vice-Principal shall be Chairman of all campus committees and shall be responsible for- (a) students welfare; (b) providing medical services; (c) campus security; (d) enforcement of the Academy's rules; and (e) any duties assigned to him by the Principal. (3) The Vice-Principal shall hold office for a term of 5 years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for a further term of 5 years only.

(1) The Academy shall have a Council which shall be theadministrative authority of the Academy and shall, except on purely academic matters, exercise all the powers and authority of the (2) The Council of the Academy shall be headed by a Chairman who shall be appointed by the President and shall hold office for a term of five (5) years and shall be eligible for reappointment for futher term of Five (5) year only (3) The Council of the Academy consist shall of the Chairman, and the following other members- (a) The Principal (b) The Registrar (c) The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Internal Affairs; 4 5 (d) 6 representatives of the Academic Board; (e) the President, Academic Staff Association of the Academy; (f) the President, Junior Staff Association of the (g) the President, Students’ Association of the (h) the President, Alumni Association of the (j) the President, Conference of Senior Secondary Schools; and (k) 1 representative each from the Northern Province, the North-Western Province the Southern Province, the Eastern Province and the Western Area appointed by the Minister for a period of 3 years and eligible for reappointment for another 3 years only.

Act 2001, the Council shall have the following powers and shall perform the following functions- (a) administer and manage the finances, accounts, investments, endowment funds and property of the Academy, including properties which are held in trust on behalf of the Academy by the Academic Board and all the business affairs of the Academy; (b) invest monies belonging to the Academy or held in trust by the Academic Board as it shall from time to time think fit; (c) borrow money from time to time on behalf of the Academy for any approved p u r p o s e and provide such security as may be necessary; The Vice- Principal. The Council. Functions and powers of the Council. No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 (d) enter into, vary, carry out or cancel contracts on behalf of the Academy; (e) give guarantees for the payment of any sum of money on the performance of any contract or obligation by any company, body, society or person if the Council thinks it is in the interest of the Academy to do so; (f) provide and maintain the buildings, premises, libraries, laboratories, museums, ga r den s, furniture, apparatus and other facilities required for the discharge of the functions of the Academy alone or in cooperation with the Board of Trustees of the Academy; (g) authorise the establishment, suspension and abolishment of all posts other than those created by this Act and appoint persons to the posts; and (h) establish salary scales for all persons employed by the Academy, enter into contracts and determine the terms and conditions of service of staff of the Academy.

(1) The Academy shall have an Academic Board whichshall be the highest authority on all academic matters. (2) The Academic Board shall comprise the Principal who shall be the Chairman and the following other members - (a) the Vice-Principal; (b) Directors of Institutes and Schools established by the Academy; (c) Deans of all the Faculties; (d) Heads of all the Departments; (e) the Librarian; (f) all members of a professorial status in the Academy; and (g) 1 representative of the Academic Staff Association from each Faculty of the

Subject to this Act, the Academic Board shall have thefollowing powers and shall perform the following functions- (a) determine the minimum matriculation requirements for admission on to the Academy consistent with the criteria set by the National Council for Technical Vocational and Other Academic Awards; (b) present candidates for degrees, certificates, diplomas and other awards of the Academy; (c) advise the Council on any matter relating to the Academy; (d) recommend courses of studies for the approval of the Council; (e) regulate and superintend teaching and examinations; (f) regulate the admission process and the conditions qualifying students for matriculation; (g) authorise the granting of degrees (except honorary degrees) diplomas, certificates and other academic awards to students who satisfy the conditions for awards; (h) promote research; (i) subject to this Act- 6 7 T h e Academic Board. Functions and Powers of the Academic Board. No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 (i) regulate and superintend the discipline of students; (ii) refuse applicants to the Academy; (iii) supervise students’ organisations; (iv) receive reports from faculties; (j) make recommendations to the Council for - (i) the funding of new professorships; (ii) the establishment, suspension or abolishment of academic or other posts in the Academy except those specified in this Act; (iii) the institution of new degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic awards; (iv) the establishment of new courses of study and regulations and altering existing courses of study; (k) regulate the appointment and number of external examiners; (l) regulate and alter the constitution and location of faculties, institutes and schools of the Academy creating and discontinuing faculties, institutes and schools of the Academy; and (m) prescribe academic dress codes of officers and members of the Academy. PART III–FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE ACADEMY

(1) The object for which the Academy is established is toteach, conduct research and serve as an examining body for persons enrolled in the Academy. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Academy shall perform the following functions- (a) provide instruction in branches of learning as it may think fit; (b) provide for the conduct of research and the advancement and dissemination of knowledge; (c) provide external or extension services for persons who are not regularly enrolled in the (d) grant certificates, diplomas and other awards as the Academy may determine; and (e) undertake acts which are geared towards the attainment of the object stated in subsection (1).

Academy shall have powers, to– (a) obtain accreditation from the National Council for Technical Vocational and Other Academic Awards in respect of certificates and diplomas and other awards granted by the Academy; (b) deny or revoke any diplomas or certificates or other awards granted or conferred on grounds of dishonesty or dishonourable conduct; 8 9 Functions of the Academy. Powers of the Academy. No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 (c) restore any diplomas or certificates or other awards denied or revoked as may be appropriate in the circumstances; (d) establish professorships, readerships, senior lectureships, lectureships and any other such posts; (e) establish administrative posts as may be required by the Council and appoint persons to such posts; (f) co-operate with any other tertiary institution or educational authority as may be determined from time to time by the Council; (g) admit students from within and outside the security sector for courses of study in the (h) provide for the printing and publication of research and other works which may be issued by the Academy; and (i) act as a trustee for any property, endowment or gift for the purposes of education or research . PART IV–FACULTIES AND OTHER RELATED PROVISIONS

(1) The Academy shall have such faculties consisting ofdepartments as may be determined by the Council. (2) Each faculty shall be governed by a Board, which shall be composed of the Dean of faculty who shall be the Chairman and the following other members- (a) The Principal and Vice-Principal; (b) all professors, readers, associate professors, senior lecturers, lecturers, assistnat lectures and other full-time staff of equivalent grades in the constituent departments or nominees of the faculty; (c) Heads of departments or nominees of such heads in the associate departments of the faculty; (d) two students from amogst full time students of the Academy, studying within the faculty and elected annually by secret ballot of the students in the constituent departments.

(1) The Dean shall be a member of the Faculty Board, ofa rank not below that of associate Professor or has served as substantive head of a department for at least 5 years, nominated by one of the members of the Board. (2) A person nominated under subsection (1) shall, be appointed Dean of Faculty subject to confirmation by the Academic Board and the Council and shall hold office for a period of 4 years and shall be eligible for reappointment for another term of 4 years only. 14 . (1) Each Faculty Board shall perform the following functions - (a) advise the Academic Board on all matters relating to the organisation of teaching and research in the subjects of the faculty, including curricula and examinations; 10 11 Faculties. Dean of Faculty. Functions of Faculty the Board. No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 (b) determine the number of students to be admitted to each of the departments of he faculty, subject to approval by the Academic Board, (c) specify the academic attainment which students must possess in order to be accepted by the faculty; (d) approve estimates of departments for submission to the Finance Director and Academic Board; (e) receive annual reports of the Dean, including departmental management information on budgetary inputs into the faculty, approved cost centres, showing achieved outcomes for investments; (f) subject to the approval of the Academic Board, either alone or in combination with one or more faculty boards, prescribe such courses of studies as it may deem necessary. (2) Each Faculty Board shall have a Board of Examiners which shall be chaired by the Dean of Faculty and shall consist of internal and external examiners appointed by the Academic Board.

Council, subject to the approval of the Sierra Leone Police Executive Board who shall, under the direction of the Principal, be responsible to provide administrative and secretarial services for the Council, Academic Board, Faculties and other committees of the Academy.

Council and who shall, under the direct supervision of the Principal, be responsible to – (a) administer the Academy's funds in accordance with the Academy's financial management policy as may be prescribed by the Academy; (b) prepare the annual budget and financial report; and (c) advise the Principal on all financial matters.

Disciplinary Committee which shall, based on the principles of natural justice, inquire into charges of misconduct referred to it by the Academic Board, report its finding and make recommendations to the Academic Board for disciplinary action. (2) A Disciplinary Committee established under subsection (1) shall consist of the following members- (a) the Principal of the Academy who shall be the Chairman; (b) the Vice-Principal of the Academy; (c) the Dean of each faculty; 12 13 Registrar. Finance officer. Disciplinary Committee. No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 (d) 1 student representative appointed by a recognised student body; (e) all Senior lecturers; and (f) the Director of Corporate Service Department of the Sierra Leone Police PART V–FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

(1) The activities of the Academy shall be financed byfunds consisting of– (a) any monies appropriated from time to time by Parliament for the purposes of the (b) tuition fees and income earned by the (c) research grants, gifts and donations; and (d) monies otherwise accruing to the Academy in the course of its activities. (2) The funds of the Academy shall be applied only for the purposes of the approved budget of the Academy.

(1) The Academy shall keep proper books of a c c o u n tand other records in relation to the activities, property and finances of the Academy in a form approved by the Auditor-General, and shall prepare in respect of each financial year of the Academy a financial statement which shall include - (a) balance sheet accounts; (b) income and expenditure accounts; and ( c) source and application of funds; (2) The accounts of the Academy kept under subsection (1) shall, not later than 2 months after the end of each financial year, be audited by the Auditor-General or an auditor appointed by him. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the Auditor- General or the auditor appointed by him shall be entitled to have access to all books of account, vouchers and other financial records of the Academy and to require such information and explanation thereon as he may think fit. (4) The Academy shall provide the Auditor-General or the auditor appointed by him with all necessary and appropriate facilities for the examination of the accounts and records of the 14 15 Accounts and audit of the Funds of the No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 No. 7 Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy Act 2017 16 17 (5) The Auditor-General or the auditor appointed by him shall submit to the Academy a report on the audited accounts and the financial statements referred to in subsection (1) and shall, in his report draw attention to - (a) any irregularities in the accounts; (b) any matters that are likely to adversely affect the operations of the Academy; and (c) any other matter which, in his opinion, ought to be brought to the notice of the Academy.

The financial year of the Academy shall be the same as thefinancial year of Government.

(1) The Academy shall, within 3 months after the end ofthe financial year, submit to the Minister a report on the performance of its functions during that year and on its policies and programmes. (2) The annual report shall include the accounts and annual financial statement prepared under section 19 and the report of the audit thereon. (3) The Minister shall lay copies of the annual report before Parliament within 2 months after he has received the report. (4) The Academy shall make copies of the report available to all stakeholders once it has been laid before Parliament. PART VI–MISCELLEANOUS PROVISIONS

(1) The Academic Board may by statutory instrumentmake such Regulations as it considers necessary or expedient for giving effect to the provisions of this Act. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations made thereunder may provide for the following matters- (a) processes and procedures of the Disciplinary Committee; (b) the teaching courses; (c) the award of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other awards; (d) conduct of examinations; and (e) such other matters as it considers necessary. Regulations. Financial year of the Annual report.