GBARNGA, Bong – Inspector General Gregory Coleman has concluded a Community Policing Engagement in Bong. The head of the Liberia National Police said the one-day program is essential in fighting crimes and violence in communities.
Addressing stakeholders at the Gbarnga Administration Building, Coleman said the engagement would create awareness among community members on how to mitigate violence. He said his administration was prepared to work with the Community Watch Forums and community leaders across Liberia to prevent crimes and violence.
Community Watch Forums were created during the United Nations Mission in Liberia in 2004 out of the recognition that the government lacked the resources to station sufficient law enforcement officers in all parts of the country. The Community Watch Forums were made up of volunteers who would collaborate with nearby police officers to maintain law and order.
The assistant training commander of the Community Watch Forum of Liberia, Christin Weah, thanked the police for organizing the event. He encouraged participants to serve as ambassadors of peace in their various communities.
Weah underscored the need for the government to support Community Watch Forums to be effective in helping the police fight crimes.
Bong’s county administrative officer, Sam Elliott, thanked the police for organizing the program. He pledged L$20,000 (US$103) to the Bong County Community Watch Forum to bolster their efforts to assist the police.
Besides pushing to strengthen community policing in Bong, the police inspector general also encouraged the public to report police officers who violated the police standards.
“The LNP’s mandate is to maintain public order and safety; protect people and properties; identify and recover lost and stolen properties; prevent, detect and fight crimes; identify and arrest criminals; and to enforce the law and testify in court,” Coleman said.
He further promised to provide two police vehicles to the Bong County Police Detachment.
At the community engagement stakeholders event, participants from the various districts in Bong, including local government officials, civil society organizations, the media, youth organizations, the Liberia Marketing Association, and international partners, were present.
Featured photo by Patrick Tokpah
