By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor in Mnrovia
It appears there is a cleanup at the Liberian National Police, however way it is understood, but 30 senior officers have been dismissed. Our Monrovia Correspondent says the Inspector General of the police Patrick Sudue has reportedly ‘downsized’ 30 senior officers for reasons yet unknown.
According to insider sources, the action of the police boss last week affected the Ebron Deline (codename 104), Nelson Freeman (105), Olu Briggs, Feltgera Briggo, Edwin Hoff (108) , John Kermah (110), John Davis (112), Gabriel Lake (118), among others.
Our sources said those affected officers asked Director Sudue about his action, and he told them he was acting on instruction from his boss, President George Weah, through the Justice Minister, Cllr. Frank Musa Dean.
When contacted, Col. Sudue’s cell phone appeared to be off.
The 30 officers have been since replaced by another team that sources say Col. Sudue has confidence in to work with.
The act that established the police does not give the president the power to reshuffle the police. He can only appoint the head of the police and two deputies. So far no independent confirmation that President Weah gave the orders.
The affected senior officers say based on the statement of the police chief they will take their grievances to President George Manneh Weah for clarifications.
Since Inspector General Sudue’s appointment, there has been internal strife among senior officers. Col. Sudue recently allegedly order that all security cameras mounted at the headquarters be taken down on grounds that there are some senior officers that were reportedly spying on his activities.
The headquarters of the police is currently without CCTV cameras since then. The action of the police commissioner has created serious tension among the top officers. Some argued that the cameras were purchased with government money and it makes no sense for anyone to bring them down for personal reasons.
The Liberia National Police Vision is to provide an effective, efficient and professional Police Service that is community based and adheres to the principle of democratic policing.
With the mission to prevent, detect and investigate crime and to protect life, property and other human rights, especially of the vulnerable, one wonder whether the hullabaloo at the police headquarters would not impede progress.
