By Gboko Stewart, gboko90@gmail.com
Henry J. Chesson Jr., 26, a resident of Brewerville and a junior student of Starz University, says he fears for his life following an alleged assault and robbery against him by officers of the Liberia National Police led by Commander Tarnue Kerkula.
Tarnue Kerkula is commander of the Zone 6 Police detachment stationed in Brewerville.
In a letter to the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, a copy of which is in possession of this paper, the Brewerville native highlighted that he was assaulted and robbed of his belongings by Kerkula and his men on the night of December 10, 2021 when, without investigation, he was assumed to be a suspect on the run who was in an earlier scuffle with the Police and had absconded on the very bike he rode.
“During the evening hours (9:00 p.m.) of December 10, 2021, while heading home via the Brisbane Road to prepare for work at the National Port Authority, a slew of officers of the Liberia National Police led by the commander – who is also known as CO-6 – ordered the bike—of which I was a passenger and was moving at a light speed—to stop,” he wrote.
“The motorbike rider, fearing that his bike would be impounded, accelerated at a high speed, going against my wishes that he should stop for the Police. During the acceleration, I overheard the Commander of the Zone-6 Police detachment threatening to shoot if the bike didn’t come to a halt.”
Chesson mentioned that though he pleaded with rider of the bike to halt, his request fell on deaf ears. “And since he was on a speed so terrific, I could not coerce him to bring the bike to a halt, neither could I have tried to be a superhero as it would have meant the loss of my life nor caused an injury which I would never have made a full recovery.”
Eventually, he added, the bike came to a stop when it hit a tree stump and the rider fled. “However, I stood with hands raised as I knew I had committed no crime and did not see the need to flee as it would have meant resistance of arrest and proof of guilt which would have damaged further my innocence.”
When the Police arrived on the scene, he said, they began to rob and assault him.
“While I was being assaulted under the watchful eyes and command of CO-6 Tarnue Kerkula, I was also robbed of my belongings by officers of the Liberia National Police – which included, a chain on my neck, an Android phone, my wallet which held an amount of US$20.00 plus my bank cards, national ID card, my working id card, and access pass and some business documents, a Bose headphone, and my power bank.”
He revealed that he shouted at the top of his lungs that he was innocent and didn’t know what was ongoing at the time. “…I kept shouting that I was innocent, a working and businessman with no criminal record in any database in the bailiwick of the Republic, and in my wallet, they would find my identity and other documents to authenticate the veracity of my claims.”
Chesson stated he was “handcuffed and forcibly placed on a motorcycle and taken to the Police depot” where he was assaulted furthermore.
“Upon arrival at the Police station, I was slapped in the face by one of the officers of the Police who had noticed I was still holding on to L$500.00 (100 and 20 denominations). The money had been the fare for the bike to take me home and later to work.”
He furthered that he was placed behind bars without being acquainted of his charges.
“Sir, the actions of the men in blue led by CO-6 Tarnue have left me in great fear of my life and left me further with looming thoughts as to whether the Liberia National Police, trained by millions of taxpayers and donors’ money, is a force for good or evil.”
When contacted, Police spokesman, H. Moses Carter, said he will speak to the issue following talks with the Inspector General of the Police.