Police remain state tool

The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police Col. Gregory Coleman has reminded here that the Police will forever remain a tool for the state rather than weapon for anyone.

He says though there will always be dissatisfaction from the public on police operation, but the public should channel grievances through rightful process without resulting to violence.

The IG made the assertion over the weekend at the Paynesville Town Hall in a stakeholder dialogue held with representatives of political parties, including the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Unity Party (UP), Liberty Party (LP), Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) and Liberia Transformation Party (LTP), among others for the smooth operation of the police as Liberia goes to elections.

Giving an overview of the dialogue, police spokesman Sam Collins said, in order to sustain the peace and go to elections without violence, it is incumbent upon all Liberians to work in concert in making sure the process is free from violence.

Collins said it was against this backdrop that the LNP has decided to reach out and solicit views from the public on how to achieve peaceful transition during the elections period.

He said the LNP belongs to all citizens, not a particular individual. “We come today to hear from you what kind of police you want to see during this election, because our inspector general says his Leadership will not be successful as Director of Police when he sits over an election that will result to violence”, the police spokesman added.

He warned that if Liberians sat and allowed the country to plunge into violence without coming together to form a partnership then the next police director would be about 75 years old, because the current police chief is a young visionary, who is so passionate about the safety of citizens.

Police Inspector General Coleman however urged political parties here to come up recommendations that would help the LNP execute its functions well, stressing, “We need to do away with violence, because the number of lives that were lost for peace to come to this country cannot be paid for.” He reaffirmed the police commitment in working with political parties during rallies, conventions, marches and campaigns to maintain peace.

By Lewis S. Teh-Editing by Jonathan Browne