By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, Liberia; October 16, 2025 -A Liberia rights Advocate, Titus B. Kpalah, has championed requires a direct systematic reform inside the Liberian Nationwide Police (LNP), to handle what he describes as alleged unprofessional rule of engagement, human rights abuses, and worldwide misrepresentation by LNP officers.
Mr. Kpalah made the decision following the demise of Mr. Matthew Mulbah, a Liberian, who was shot and allegedly killed by a police officer throughout the execution of an arrest.
Addressing a press convention on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, on the subject “Rethinking systemic reforms in LNP, an unpopular opinion”, Mr. Mulbah mentioned the dialog round rethinking police reform in Liberia usually resurfaces after tragic incidents, public outrage, or worldwide strain.
Nonetheless, he added that actual, lasting reform has remained elusive, whereas urging that if the federal government is severe about constructing an expert, accountable, and community-centered police pressure, then it’s time to essentially rethink how police reform is addressed in Liberia.
He acknowledged that Liberians are sometimes made to imagine that the Police are much less skilled, who conspire with infamous criminals to use residents and survive on “site visitors susu” (bribe in site visitors).
In accordance with him, these testimonies are both partially true or potential fibs that are inclined to undermine the long-lasting service the LNP has contributed to Liberia’s post-conflict reconstruction course of so far.
He urged Liberians to mirror on how a police officer was wounded in Congo City, and the one repercussion was releasing eight reside bullets within the chest, arms, and legs of a mentally sick man, Matthew Mulbah, leading to his demise.
Commenting on the significance of policing reform, he famous that Liberia’s present place as a non-permanent member of the UN Safety Council, the place its leaders are advocating for international safety or justice on behalf of various nations. In distinction, its police pressure usually works beneath poor situations, low pay, lack of psychological help, insufficient technical coaching, and drives a disconnect between international calls for for accountability and native progress.
“On the UN safety council, Liberia is preaching multilateral cooperation, human rights norms and accountability, however after we evaluate the nation’s international wrestle for peace and what it does at house will undermine our credibility because the oldest African Nation ‘that ought to have recognized higher’. The police should deal with disillusionment amongst residents as a core spirit of democratic worth and never as a weapon in opposition to the state, or some kind of revenge mechanism. At all times making an attempt to inflate these values will cripple the momentum to affect diplomatic ties and our international status”, he mentioned.
He lamented that they’ve watched from afar, and worldwide companions, donors, and civil society will probably demand extra progress on good governance, transparency, rule of legislation, and human rights.
Mr. Kpalah warned that being on the Safety Council can open extra doorways for help, however provided that Liberia can present it’s assembly these home expectations.
He acknowledged that reform now doesn’t essentially imply stripping a struggling officer of his job when residents demand dismissal, however it defines the nation’s readiness to supply satisfactory assets and technical capability coaching for servicemen and girls.
“Liberia could also be seen now as a rustic of peace, however the true actuality is, the nation is closely divided from governance assemble to residents’ mistrust. Using community-centered policing will construct stronger public confidence within the police, tackle over-criminalization in much less investigated crimes, and provides possession to native communities. When communities are handled as companions in crime prevention, unity turns into a supply of power. In such a system, communities evolve into energetic watchdogs, enhancing security and accountability on the grassroots degree.” He concluded. Modifying by Jonathan Browne
