LNP, criminal investigators attend training

Training on a memorandum of understanding between the Liberia National Police and Criminal Investigators at the Ministry of Justice has in Kakata, Margibi County at the Administrative Building.

In an interview with reporters recently in the county, Chief Court Liaison Officer, Aaron S. Mulbah, said the training was meant to explain in detail the MOU signed on October 17, 2011, which detailed the role of prosecutors to the police during the criminal investigation stage and that of the police own role as it relates to investigation during trial by the prosecutors.

He explained that the exercise brought together about 33 participants, including 20 members of the LNP, criminal investigators at the Ministry of Justice and trainers. The participants came from Margibi and Grand Bassa Counties, he added.

According to him, the training was sponsored by UNMIL UNPOL, which is providing finance and making available training materials and transportation for participants. 

Mr. Mulbah said his focus is on coordination between the Ministry of Justice and criminal investigators from the Liberian National Police.

He said the entire process started in March 2015 with the country being divided into five regions with Harper, Maryland County as region five, comprising Grand Kru and River Gee Counties, while the second training in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County brought together River Cess and Sinoe, and another held in Bomi County with participants from Gbarpolu and Grand Cape Mount counties, respectively. 

He said the training in Kakata brought together participants Margibi and Grand Bassa Counties while the next phase of the training will be held in Gbarnga, Bong County with participants coming from Bong, Lofa and Nimba counties, respectively.

“The training was prompted when the need arose for them to improve their relationship in the security and justice sectors. In order to have such improvement done, he stated that there was a need to come out with a document that the both entities will look at as a guiding principle, which brought about the MOU”, he added.

The MOU was signed by the Solicitor General of Liberia, and Justice Minister Benedict Sarnnoh, the Inspector General of the Liberian National Police, and approved by the Minister of Justice.

On challenges, Mr. Mulbah outlined that the participants emphasized the need for accessibility to communication among them.

 “This challenge was identified when the participants were lectured on coordination during the training”, he added.   

By Ramsey N. Singbeh, Jr. in Margibi