MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Civil society advocate and political commentator Grace R. Guar has publicly criticized the Liberian National Police for what she described as inconsistent and problematic handling of two high-profile cases involving rape and sodomy.
Guar’s comments, issued on Tuesday, January 13, 2025, underscore growing public concern over selective enforcement of the law and the police’s approach to cases involving high-ranking officials.
“I would like to applaud Senator Augustine Chea for speaking up,” Guar said, highlighting the senator’s call for accountability in the handling of these cases.
According to Guar, the police’s selective use of DNA evidence as a requirement for arrest in one case but not the other is deeply troubling. She warned that this practice “raises questions about potential bias or abuse of discretion by the police.”
Guar noted that “the legal threshold for arrest is distinct from the higher standard of proof required at trial.” She emphasized that “other forms of evidence such as victim statements, witness accounts, and medical reports can provide reasonable suspicion or probable cause,” and should be sufficient to initiate criminal action.
She also questioned the police’s approach to modern investigative tools, calling for greater transparency in digital evidence. “The CCTV footage should be played for the public showing dates and time, and as far as the cellphone location, people leave their cell phones in one location and go miles to commit a crime at another location,” she said. “We are not just going to take your words for it. This is 2026. We are in the digital age. Show us some proof of your investigation.”
Guar criticized the decision to clear the deputy minister in the rape case without a clear explanation, saying it “undermines public confidence” and violates the public’s right to transparent investigations. “The public deserves thorough and unbiased investigations, regardless of the status or position of the accused,” she asserted.
She also called out the demeanor of the police director at a recent press conference, describing his tone as arrogant and dismissive. “His attitude towards public scrutiny is unacceptable. As public servants, the police must be accountable to the people and willing to provide transparent explanations for their actions and decisions,” Guar said.
“Remember,” she added, “your work is to serve the public.” Her remarks highlighted the expectation that law enforcement in Liberia must operate with professionalism, integrity, and responsiveness to the community.
Guar said the inconsistencies in police conduct raise serious issues of fairness and respect for the rule of law. “The handling of these cases by the Liberian police shows a lack of equal application of the law,” she stated.
She stressed that favoritism in the justice system erodes trust and can have long-lasting consequences for public confidence. “The public deserves a justice system that applies the law equally and without favoritism,” she said.
On the question of whether Bryant McGill, the deputy minister implicated in one of the cases, should have been charged, Guar was unequivocal. “I feel that Bryant McGill should have been charged. It would have been better and settled for the court to decide,” she said.
Guar’s critique comes amid heightened scrutiny of Liberia’s law enforcement agencies, particularly in cases involving senior officials or public servants. Her statements echo calls for greater accountability and the consistent application of legal standards.
She emphasized the need for structural reform within the police to ensure that investigations are thorough, impartial, and transparent. “The police must be held to high standards of professionalism and responsiveness,” Guar said.
