PHOTO: EPS Director, Trokon Nathaniel Roberts
Back in January 2018 when the then newly elected President George Manneh Weah announced his appointment as Director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS); the vast majority of the Liberian public didn’t know what kind of security credentials he had. Mr. Trokon Nathaniel Roberts, who had spent years out of Liberia serving in the United Nations Security details internationally, has been commanding this group responsible for the closed protection of the Liberian presidency ever since.
Roberts is one of Liberia’s seasoned security experts with a longstanding professional career under his belt, who one can say has suitably been placed—i.e. a square peg in a square hole.
EPS Boss, Trokon N. Roberts with President Weah
With a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Walden. he a certified security and risk management professional, specializing in analysing security factors and levels of risks related to staff safety and field operations and programmes; Investigations; First Responder (Emergency Trauma Bag; UN Security Management System (MOSS and MORSS, Evacuation Plans and Contingencies, SMT/ASMT, SSAFE; Bi-lingual (English & French); Inter-personal relationship (Inter-agencies, host government and law enforcement agencies).
As head of this elite force, he has his work cut out for him with huge duties, including to protect the President and his immediate family, and those with special diplomatic immunities, as well as those he may designate.
With his colleagues in a snap with the former UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon on International Assignment
Identifying and building productive relationships with paramilitary government agencies and to align EPS activities and optimize the best protection for the President, staff, designates and facilities are also some of his duties as EPS chief, Others include to ensure the development and maintenance of an effective security management communications system to enable rapid and coordinated security activities, and to keep updated with and advise on regional and local security developments and issues and the potential impact on the security of the President and operational activities, amongst others.
Prior to his assignment at the Executive Mansion as head of the EPS, Mr. Roberts served the United Nations Mission in South Sudan from August 2015 – March 2018 providing expert security services to Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) of the United Nations, the two deputy SRSGs, all United Nations VVIPs, all United Nations VIPs, all United Nations staff members, and all contractors and visitors on the UNMISS premises.
With the Chief Executive, President George Manneh Weah
This assignment included to coordinate protective operations and determine the requirement of close protection measures and make recommendations, conduct close protection operations as outlined in the UN close protection policies and guidelines, supports the monitoring and evaluation of Security activities, providing technical analysis and information as required, to support the assessment of activity impact, and to maintain effective and efficient security coverage for the working office and personal residence of the principal.
Also while at the UN Sudan mission, he was responsible to keep up to date with and advise upon local security developments and issues and the potential impact upon operational activity to inform security and operational activities, monitor and maintain an effective security management communications system that enables rapid and coordinated security activities, and contribute to the development of systems and tools for the monitoring and assessment of security situation needs in line with innovative methodologies and best practices.
In the field
Prior to his Sudan mission, from March 2012 to July 2015 he was assigned at the Iraq detail of the United Nations Mission as security office with the duties of the Security Risk Analysis document, provide safety and security to the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) of the United Nations, the two deputy SRSGs, all United Nations VIPs, all United Nations VIPs, all United Nations staff members, and all contractors and visitors on the UNAMI premises.
While in that country on assignment for the United Nations, his assignment also made him to maintain security coverage for the working office and personal residence of the Senior UN Officials (SUNOs); ensures that security measures are in place at all times to deter or deny identified threat and to preserve the security, safety and well-being of the SUNOs; ensures that continued effectiveness of the Close Protection (CP) team remains in relation to the changes of the local threat level, and accompanies the SUNOs during official travels and coordinates all related security requirements amongst other important assignments as per his duties.
At the United Nations World Food Programme from March 2003 – August 2010, he served as Field Security Assistant with the duties and responsibilities: To assist in supervising and executing field security operations and investigations; To assist in coordination of reporting and handling Special Incident Reports (SIRS); Assist in ensuring all staff members and the agency facilities meet the MOSS (Minimum Operating Security Standards) and MORSS (Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards requirements; To assist in checking and keeping abreast of all WFP operations in Liberia; To assist in planning; To assist in ensuring all staff members and agency facilities meet the MOSS and MORSS requirements.
While also serving with the WFP, he was assigned as Filed Security Officer with the duties and responsibilities from February 2009 to December 2009: To assist in planning, coordinating, and executing evacuations and relocations of WFP staff members in keeping with the general UN Evacuation Plan; To assist in establishing and maintaining rapport with other organizations, local security authorities and other institutions for better coordination of efforts in the event of natural disasters or other incidents; and to perform all other security-related issues assigned by the Field Security Adviser or Country Representative.
For his commitment and professionalism as a security expert, he served the Wackenhut Security System from July 1996 – December 2000. While at Wackenhut his duties included: To provide safety and security assistance to the United States Embassy and all US installations in La Cote D’Ivoire; To provide VIP security for clients in the private sector.
- To carry out rapid response operations; To conduct investigations
- To assist national police with accidents reports and other investigations
- To provide safety and security for money transfers; and to carry out all other security-related issues designated by Director.
At the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, Trokon Nathaniel Roberts served as Close Protection Officer from May 1989 – June 1995 with the duties and responsibilities: To provide safety and security for the President of the Republic of Liberia, his immediate family, those with diplomatic immunity. his last rank and assignment: Captain, and Commander of the Presidential Motorcade and its Advance Team.
CERTIFICATES
Sports Management Worldwide; Portland, Oregon, USA
Soccer Management & Scouting, Certificate, 2021
Training included: traditional and cutting-edge scouting techniques and player evaluations, scouting reports, statistical analysis, soccer general manager practices, player personnel and team/club management. (Mentored by Tommy Smyth,
ESPN Soccer Analyst, John Print, FIFA Certified Agent, and Matt Martin, the Soccer Syndicate Director of Scouting) Reference: Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, Sports Management Worldwide President, 1-503-445-7105
International Foundation for Protection Officers
Certificate, Certified Security Supervision and Management – 2002
International Foundation for Protection Officers
Certificate, Certified Protection Officer – 2000
AFFILIATIONS
MEMBER – ASIS (American Society for Industrial Security)
1625 Prince Street – Alexandria, Virginia 22314 – USA
MEMBER – NSLS (National Society of Leadership and Success)
4300 Biscayne Blvd Suite 203 – Miami, FL 33137 – USA
MEMBER – IFPO (International Foundation for Protection Officer)
1076 6 ave N Naples, Florida 34102 – USA
EDUCATION
Diploma – International Correspondence Institute – 2000
Concentration: Private Investigator
Diploma – Liberia National Police Training Academy – 1990
Concentration: Law Enforcement & VIP Protection
Master of Science – University of Walden – 2021
Concentration: Criminal Justice
Post Graduate Certificate – University of Leicester – 2015
Concentration: Security and Risk Management
NOTE: This has been a Special Feature