By Precious D. Freeman
The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, Gregory Coleman has pledging continued efforts to rebuild confidence and accountability amidst growing mistrust between the public and the police force.
“The anger, disinformation, and lack of sensitivity in our society ultimately rest heavily on the police. We are doing our best under extremely challenging conditions, and we ask for your support and understanding,” he expressed.
He named some of the strategy as, “We are engaging the public, increasing accountability, and strengthening our internal oversight mechanisms through the Professional Standards Division to hold ourselves accountable for every action.”
He further noted measures taken to improve communication and incorporate experienced veterans into police operations to address systemic challenges.
IG Coleman expressed deep concern over the psychological and physical toll on police officers, citing burnout and compassion fatigue as major challenges.
“Officers are burned out. There’s no proper support system for them to cope with the daily pressures of their work. It is by God’s grace and mercy that the situation isn’t worse,” he said.
He called on the public and relevant authorities to provide greater support to law enforcement personnel, emphasizing that their well-being is essential for maintaining security and order.
The police Inspector General also confirmed the arrest of three individuals near the residence of House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
While the exact details of their alleged crimes remain unclear, IG Coleman assured the public that investigations are ongoing and more information will be made available in due course.
IG Coleman urged citizens to remain calm, allow investigations to proceed without interference, and avoid spreading misinformation or politicizing tragic incidents.
In another development, he assured that the police is addressing the situation in Lofa, highlighting ongoing investigations into other significant national security incidents, including violent protests at the Capitol building and a recent fire incident there.
“These are two of the most important investigations we are looking into right now. The arrest that was made has everything to do with those events,” he revealed.
The Liberia National Police said it will continue to monitor the situation in Lofa County and across the country to maintain public safety and prevent further escalation of tensions.
