MONROVIA, Liberia – The Liberia National Police says crime has significantly declined since 2024, attributing the improvement to sweeping reforms, expanded community policing, and strengthened internal accountability mechanisms.
Inspector General Col. Gregory O.W. Coleman told Spoon TV that crime was trending upward before the current restructuring efforts began but has since decreased substantially.
“When we took over, crime was on the increase,” Coleman stated. “Today, our data shows a significant reduction. And it did not happen by accident.”
Community Policing as a Core Philosophy
Coleman emphasized that community policing is no longer treated as a standalone department but as the foundation of modern policing strategy in Liberia.
Monrovia has been divided into 11 operational zones with more than 40 depots. Officers conduct stakeholder mapping to identify crime-prone areas and work closely with community leaders.
“Policing is a service to the people,” Coleman said. “If the people do not feel served, then we have failed.”
Deputy Inspector General for Operations Jallah Nelson Freeman added that strategic motorcycle movement restrictions during late-night hours have contributed to crime reduction.
“When we restricted late-night motorcycle movement, we observed a dramatic drop in nighttime crime,” Freeman explained. “Crime is like a mosquito — remove the breeding ground, and you reduce the problem.”
Strengthened Accountability
Coleman credited improved public confidence to strict enforcement of discipline within the force.
“Every violation by any police officer that is reported is investigated. No one goes unpunished,” he declared. “Accountability is not optional.”
The Professional Standards Division has reportedly been strengthened, and disciplinary actions are now more transparent.
Staffing Challenges
Despite improvements, Liberia’s police-to-citizen ratio remains below international standards.
“In some areas, one officer serves as many as 3,500 citizens,” Coleman revealed. “We need up to 12,000 officers to meet global standards.”
The government has reportedly committed to recruiting and training thousands of new officers in the coming years.
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