Sweden turns over crime lab to LNP

In continuous efforts by the Government of Liberia and international partners to build the capacity of the Liberia National Police, the Government of Sweden has turned over a modern crime lab and a photo studio to the LNP to be used by its Crime Service Division or CSD.

The crime lab will be used to lift and analyze finger prints of suspects from materials or weapons used in the commission of crimes. A press statement issued here by authorities after the dedication ceremony held at the Liberia National Police Headquarters in Monrovia says Sweden Ambassador to Liberia Len Nordstorm, recounted the long standing relationship the people of Sweden have had with the people of Liberia over the years.

She said her government was pleased to identify with the Liberia National Police especially in the wake of the United Nations Mission drawdown here. “it is important to be held today on my first official duty as an accredited ambassador to this country and to acquaint myself with the work the police have done in providing services to the people of Liberia ”, Ambassador Nordstorm stated.

The Swedish envoy admonished the police administration to use the lab for the benefit of the public, stressing that the comprehensive analysis of crime material and the proper profiling of suspects involved with crime will assist prosecutors in court.

She said a state institution can only be strong if the people trustedits ability to deliver services that can impact their lives. She challenged the Liberia National Police to maintain the newly dedicated crime lab with high level of professionalism, cautioning the police administration that the money used to set up the lab was that of tax payers’ in Sweden.

Ambassador Nordstorm said the way the police here will handle the lab will encourage her government to do more for the institution in the future.

-Edited by Jonathan Browne