Liberia and UN mission achieve key target in police recruitment

More than 3,500 officers have now graduated from Liberia’s Police Academy as part of United Nations-backed efforts to improve the rule of law in the West African country and help the nation rehabilitate after more than a decade of brutal civil war.

Speaking at a weekend graduation ceremony for 367 officers, the UN Deputy Special Representative and Officer-in-Charge of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Jordan Ryan, urged the new officers to be “professional in service delivery and accountable to the communities” they serve.

At the ceremony, which took place at the Police Academy in the capital Monrovia, Justice Minister Frances Johnson Morris hailed UNMIL’s role in supporting the police, and also stressed to the graduates the importance of respecting human rights.

“The benchmark for the restructuring, recruitment and training mandate of the Liberia National Police (LNP) is a total number of 3,500 police officers. We have exceeded this goal today with the commissioning of the graduates of the 30th class, and adding up to a total of 3,522 graduates,” she said.

“The Government of Liberia discharges its obligation of safeguarding human rights through the exercise of the police power… The role of UNMIL in this enterprise has been a classic example of accountable support. The United Nations through UNMIL played and continues to play a pivotal role in the realization of this crucial national objective.”

Mr. Ryan also praised the new officers for sacrifices they have made towards rebuilding their country’s new police force “which has at its core the foundations of a democratic and principled law enforcement institution.”

“Each of you has displayed individual commitment and courage, and collectively you offer your nation the chance for peace, security and stability,” he said.

After the graduation ceremony, Mr. Ryan, acting on behalf of the Netherlands Government, handed over 30 new motorbikes for use by the LNP. The Netherlands has so far contributed over $2 million for the restructuring and equipping of the national police service. UNMIL, through the UN Police, has been facilitating and coordinating donor support towards enhancing the capacity of the police.

As part of UNMIL’s mandate UN Police officers have been monitoring, supporting and mentoring members of the new LNP to establish a well-trained, mobile police, committed to the protection of citizens’ rights. To date, 3,522 police officers have been trained in modern policing methods and techniques, including a total of 203 women.