[embeddoc url=”https://newspublictrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/26.10.17-Press-Statement-on-Research-Findings.pdf” download=”all”]-“Stranded Law Enforcement”
By our Reporter
A new research study just released shows “imbalance in the distribution of resources,” by the Liberia National Police (LNP), the report says.
The survey, conducted by a new pro-democracy group—Open Liberia, looks into the logistical wellbeing of the LNP as part of the overall police reform process.
But when contacted, Police Spokesman Sam Collins said he has not seen copy of the survey report.
“I’ve not seen the report from Open Liberia. I need to see the report before commenting,” Collins told www.newspublictrust.com in a brief chat on Sunday.
Findings of the study predicts that ”if there is an incident on police stations similar to what happened at Redlight station in 2015 involving motorcyclists, there is absolutely no chance of containing it by these depots.”
In the Redlight incident, there was serious vandalism and injuries including the burning of the police depot.
And the latest report released in the wake of the ongoing electoral process fears that “the consequence may even be deadly during these elections period. This is because the depots lack the necessary operational logistics to respond to a reported crime, let alone prevent or contain an attack.”
Releasing the report at a news conference in Monrovia over the weekend, the Executive Director of the group, Samuka V. Konneh said the survey was necessary “especially so when our nation braces itself to usher in a new political dispensation.”
As a result of the imbalance in the distribution of national police resources “73% of respondents to the study said they are unable to respond to multiple crimes reported at the same because they do not have any vehicle, motorbike or tricycle. Seven depots, including Joe Bar, New Kru Town, Gobarchop, Bong Mine Bridge, VOA, Doe Community and Logan Town, said they are capable of responding to multiple crimes at the same – however, they do not have a vehicle, motorbike or any moving machine to facilitate such response.”
“Our study also found out that as simple as it may seem, policers assigned at depots do not know when they ought to receive office supplies and operational logistics – which in effect leaves rooms for doubt and suspicion,” the report says.
Open Liberia says its enumerators visited 32 depots in Montserrado County, but only 26 accepted to participate in the study.
“Six depots refused to participate – even though they expressed appreciation for the study because logistics, whether available or not, indiscriminately affect their performances,” the study says.
“Our study finds that all of the functional operational logistics belonging to the LNP, including vehicles and motorbikes as well as administrative equipment and supplies such computers, internet, uniforms, baton, spray guns etc are all only assigned at central headquarter on capitol Byepass – leaving stations and depots completely strangulated to effectively work,” according to the report.
The report adds: “Several officers said that they have not received any uniform since their graduation 10yrs ago. Respondents say they have been purchasing their police uniforms from the local markets. Only Redlight Container Site and Bong Mine Bridge depots say they received uniform supplies about seven months ago.”