“Bring It On; We’ll Defend Ourselves” -IG Coleman Reacts To Threats Against Officers
By Bill W. Cooper
The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Gregory Coleman, has issued a stern warning to politicians and supporters of opposition political parties who have been threatening police officers and their families.
IG Coleman, in a sharp response, emphasized the importance of ensuring the protection of law enforcement personnel and their loved ones against any potential harm, warning, “Bring it on, and we will defend ourselves.”
The IG assertion comes amid rising tensions in Liberia following the detention and incarceration of former Speaker Fonati Koffa and four other Representatives, all from the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), in connection with the burning of the Capitol Building joint chambers.
Former Speaker Koffa and four lawmakers were over the weekend, charged and forwarded to court by the LNP in connection with the burning of the Country’s Capitol, sparking serious political tension across Montserrado and its environs.
As a result of their detention and incarceration at the Monrovia Central Prison (South Beach), some executives of the CDC, including partisans, have begun listing the names and living places of some officers and government officials, to inform their families.
Some posted, “Human beings will lose. IG Gregory Coleman will lose. Losses are serious and mainly affect the Police with the loss in the country. We will go with the children. People will lose their country.”
“A human will lose their country. We will make sure that humans are. I lost around Gregory Coleman’s house. Police IG Gregory Coleman will loss. Tloseme on record. Take me for my word,” one of the CDC supporters added.
But during his appearance on ELBC Radio recently, IG Coleman cautioned, “If you think you can come out and attack law enforcement officers and go free, you are making a very wrong choice because you will be met with stiff resistance.”
“We are aware of those who want to attack Police Officers and their families, but I want to warn them publicly that if you try it, the third law of Newton will kick in. We will defend ourselves to the fullest.
Because as I speak, I have already instructed all Police Officers across the country to defend themselves to the letter if they and their family members are ever attacked by anyone, whether in the day or night,” he maintained.
According to him, these threats have raised serious fear amongst his officers, leading to his order, and noted, “Our officers are not just enforcers of the law; they are citizens, fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters. Threatening them is an attack on the very fabric of our society.”
Calling for mutual respect between politicians and officers, Coleman intoned, “I understand that politics can be contentious, but there is no justification for threatening the lives of those who are sworn to protect the peace and such a threat will not go unnoticed by my watch as IG.”
He, however, urged politicians to engage in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to intimidation tactics, and thereby emphasized the crucial role that the police play in a democratic society.
The IG maintained, “We must uphold the law and ensure that every citizen, regardless of their political affiliation, can exercise their rights peacefully, and we are committed to serving all citizens and maintaining order but not at our own detriment as law enforcement officers.”
