By Nukanah Kollie
In a sweeping disciplinary move within the Liberia National Police (LNP) in Bong County, four senior officers including the County Police Commander have been suspended over several administrative failings.
Commander Farsue V. Sheriff, who leads policing efforts in the county, was suspended for one month. The action stems from allegations that he failed to properly coordinate traffic control during a high-level presidential motorcade. The convoy was returning to Monrovia from Grand Gedeh at night, following the reburial and burial of former President Samuel K. Doe and his wife.
Sources say Commander Sheriff permitted both private and commercial vehicles to interfere with the presidential convoy, resulting in traffic congestion along the Bong County stretch. Despite receiving direct instructions from his superiors to secure the roadway, his failure to enforce those orders raised significant security risks as the President passed through the area.
This lapse violated Section 7.2 of the LNP Duty Manual, which outlines the responsibility of officers to maintain traffic order and public safety during presidential or official state movements. He was also found in breach of Section 4.1.1 of the LNP Code of Conduct, which requires full adherence to directives from superior officers.
Separately, three additional senior officers were suspended following a burglary at Joma’s Business Center in Gbarnga.
Crime Services Division (CSD) Commander James Kartoe and Deputy Police Commander for Administration Foster Varney were each suspended for one month. Kartoe was penalized for inadequate supervision of his unit, while Varney was cited for not taking appropriate action after a suspect in the case was allegedly released under suspicious circumstances.
Kartoe’s inaction breached Section 5.2.3, which mandates that commanding officers maintain oversight and control over their teams. Varney’s failure to respond to the suspect’s questionable release was viewed as negligence, violating Section 4.1.2 of the Code, which demands timely intervention in criminal cases and officer accountability.
The most severe discipline was handed to Patrick Sandolo, Deputy Commander for Crime Services, who received a three-month suspension. He was accused of ordering the release of the suspect linked to the Joma burglary. While he may be reassigned to a new post, Sandolo will no longer serve in his current position within the Bong County command.
The Liberia National Police announced that all suspensions officially came into effect on August 1, 2025.
Following the suspensions, Police Chief of Operations Chris Gono has been designated to serve as Acting Commander of the Bong County Detachment.
This latest round of disciplinary actions signals the LNP’s renewed commitment to enforcing internal accountability and rebuilding public confidence in its operations across the county.
