Police dialogue with civil society

The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police Col. Gregory O.W. Coleman says democracy in Africa is suffering due to lack of cooperation between security apparatus and the public.

According to him, democracy suffers from legitimate issues of concern all over the Continent, not only Liberia, adding that these concerns have sparked up lot of reforms, and it is against this regards he added that the LNP is trying to find a solution between citizens and the State.

Col. Coleman made the observation on Wednesday, March 22, at the Paynesville Town Hall outside Monrovia during a stakeholder’s dialogue involving civil society, and youth groups.
The forum brought together authorities from the security sector and over 50 participants from the 17 electoral districts of Montserrado County.

“We know that democracy is suffering; it is against this that we are taking all these steps to engage the public to know their say in the execution of our duties”, the Police IG remarked.
He said the initiative is not Monrovia-base, but would reach citizens in all 15 counties of Liberia. “We want to build up that partnership to restore hope and confidence in our citizens across this country.”

Meanwhile, Col. Coleman has stressed a need for the public to support the police adding, because the price of peace is expensive.
He said the lives that were lost to get Liberia to where it is today cannot be paid for, saying it is the responsibility of every citizen to work with the police in sustaining peace.

Police spokesperson Sam Collins narrated that the intent of the dialogue is to create a smooth working relationship between the police and the public to create a violence-free society, particularly during the October elections.
Collins added that the exercise in confirmative with recent dialogue held with members of the Press Union of Liberia in making sure that Liberia have peaceful democratic elections.

“This is an old police with a new vision, we all are aware that this police cannot achieve its goals without the full cooperation of members of civil society, various youth groups and the general public as we gear toward the election process”, he concluded.

By Lewis S. Teh -Editing by Jonathan Browne