EDITORIAL:The Need For Inter Security Agency Coordination

In the wake of the confusion between the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police over the shooting incident on the Capitol Bye-Pass, the police have reportedly carried out a number of secret arrests in Monrovia and its environs. The shooting incident resulted to the deaths of a senior inspector of the Police Support Unit – PSU Amos Tutu, Private Patrick Davies of the Armed Forces of Liberia or AFL and a former police officer, Preston Davies.

The crust of these arrests is the growing dissatisfaction within the National Police over the arson attack on one of its Inspectors, Amos Tutu by a group of angry mobs within that community.

Of late, we have received confirmed report that not being satisfied with the arrests already effected, the police has again charged the personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia or AFL, Private Patrick Davies who was also victimized by the same angry mobs after he had gone to intervene, leading to his death finally at the John F. Kennedy Medical Hospital in Sinkor recently, with murder.

The Charge was levied against Pvt. Davies just after his death and the case is presently at the Monrovia City Court. According to Police information, the Late Pvt. Davies was charged with facilitating the murder of PSU Inspector Tutu.

On the basis of our investigation, coupled with the conflicting accounts of the Ministry of Justice and Liberia National Police, the intervention of the late Pvt. Davies was purely to ensure peace and order between the late PSU Inspector and angry mob.

What we think is more puzzling about the situation is the failure of the police to even relate to the Ministry of National Defense, which controls the AFL on the matter, if what we are gathering from Defense Ministry officials is anything to go by.

We think had the LNP any qualms with the intervention of the late AFL Soldier probably following its preliminary investigation, its first point of contact should have been the authorities at the Defense Ministry for redress.

But to thrive on the path on which it is presently, is very worrisome and tantamount to brewing “bad blood” between the two institutions.

As part of the national security network, we believe there should be coordination between and among all security agencies run by the Liberian government not only on issues of national security interest, but also inter-agency and personnel relations.

With the misunderstanding between the Justice Ministry and Liberia National Police, as well as the present lawsuit against the dead ALF soldier at the Monrovia City Court, many Liberians seem not to know what will happen to the case of the late Preston Davies.

Apparently, the indictment of Pvt. Davies’ dead body for murder has overshadowed the killing of the late CID officer by the late PSU Inspector Tutu; something we believe must be legally pursued if not by the police, but the family of Preston.

Also despite the negative image portrayed of the Liberian Judicial system, we are of the fervent belief that the Monrovia City Court considers the merits and demerits of the indictment by the police devoid of all sentiments to ensure transparent justice.

Whatever judgment that will be passed by the court must signal a warning to all security agencies that the people’s security is greatly dependent upon proper coordination among them.

Any short circuit within this coordination will further threaten the survival of the very people they are employed to protect. Even though we welcome the legal action, but the LNP erred by not coordinating with the Defense Ministry on the role of the late AFL in the Capitol Bye-pass episode.