–New Recruits Charged to Uphold Integrity, Professionalism and Service to Country
MONROVIA, Liberia – Liberia’s security sector received a significant boost on Friday as 193 newly trained officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) graduated from the National Police Training Academy, marking another step in the government’s efforts to strengthen law enforcement and enhance public safety across the country.
The graduation ceremony, held at the National Police Training Academy in Paynesville, brought together senior government officials, security leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, lawmakers, development partners, and relatives of the graduates who gathered to celebrate the successful completion of months of rigorous training.
The graduates comprised members of the 47th Basic Recruit Class of the Liberia National Police and the 3rd Basic Recruit Class of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, who completed intensive instruction in law enforcement, public safety, criminal investigations, ethics, physical fitness, and community policing.
Their induction comes at a time when Liberia is confronting growing security challenges, including drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, cyber-related offenses, and concerns about public safety in both urban and rural communities.
A New Generation of Security Officers
The recruits officially took the oath of office before Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, pledging to uphold the Constitution and laws of Liberia while serving and protecting the public.
The graduation ceremony marked the culmination of months of demanding academic, practical, and physical training designed to prepare the officers for the realities of modern law enforcement.
Security officials described the training as one of the most comprehensive undertaken in recent years, emphasizing discipline, professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights, and service to citizens.
The graduates are expected to be deployed across the country to support policing operations, anti-drug enforcement activities, crime prevention initiatives, and other national security responsibilities.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Security
Delivering the keynote address, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan described security as a fundamental pillar of national development and reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening Liberia’s law enforcement institutions.
He noted that while government faces competing demands for limited resources, investments in security remain essential to maintaining peace, stability, and economic growth.
Ngafuan praised the leadership of the Police Academy for what he described as visible improvements in training infrastructure and institutional development, assuring officers that government will continue supporting efforts to enhance the capacity of security institutions.
“The government will do more,” he pledged. “What you have proved is that this place is not what it used to be yesterday. In partnership with you, tomorrow will be even better.”
Integrity and Professionalism Emphasized
A recurring theme throughout the ceremony was the importance of integrity and ethical conduct in public service.
Speakers challenged the new officers to remain committed to professionalism and resist the temptations often associated with law enforcement work.
Minister Ngafuan warned the graduates that criminal networks, particularly those involved in drug trafficking, often attempt to compromise security personnel through financial inducements.
“We can never pay you as much as the drug dealer will pay you to tempt you,” he cautioned. “It is your values that must make you strong enough to resist temptation.”
The graduates were urged to serve with honesty, impartiality, courage, and respect for the rights of all citizens.
Strengthening the Fight Against Drugs
The induction of a new batch of LDEA officers comes as Liberia intensifies efforts to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse, which government officials have identified as major threats to national development and public health.
Recent high-profile drug seizures, including the interception of a massive cocaine shipment at Roberts International Airport, have underscored the growing challenges posed by transnational narcotics networks operating within the region.
Security authorities say additional personnel are needed to strengthen enforcement operations, improve intelligence gathering, and enhance border security.
Officials expressed confidence that the newly trained officers will contribute significantly to the country’s anti-drug campaign and broader efforts to protect communities from the harmful effects of illicit substances.
Building a Safer Liberia
Liberia’s security sector has undergone gradual reforms in the years following the country’s civil conflict, with successive governments working to professionalize law enforcement agencies and strengthen public confidence in national security institutions.
The latest graduation forms part of ongoing efforts to build a modern, accountable, and effective security sector capable of responding to evolving threats while maintaining public trust.
Officials noted that the addition of 193 newly trained officers will help improve law enforcement coverage across the country and strengthen the operational capacity of both the Liberia National Police and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency.
As the graduates prepare to assume their duties, expectations are high that they will help advance the shared goal of creating a safer, more secure Liberia.
For the government, the graduation represents more than just the completion of a training program—it is an investment in national security, public confidence, and the future stability of the Republic.
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