MONROVIA – A growing crisis looms within Liberia’s security sector as members of Liberia National Police (LNP) Class 46, comprising 647 Probationary Police Officers (PPOs), demand 11 months of unpaid salaries and formal employment recognition. The officers, who graduated in January 2024 after extensive training, have played key roles in national security, yet they claim systemic neglect by the LNP administration and government has left them financially and professionally vulnerable.
Since their deployment, Class 46 has contributed significantly to Liberia’s security landscape, providing protection during President Joseph N. Boakai’s inauguration, ensuring order at the National County Sports Meet, and managing security during the 2024 by-elections in Grand Gedeh and Nimba Counties. Their duties have also included traffic regulation, emergency response, and the enforcement of the motorcycle regulation initiative, which generated substantial revenue between May and July 2024.
Despite their efforts, the officers allege they have not received a single salary payment since their deployment, surviving instead on sporadic allowances. Recently, they were paid $80 USD and 3,800 Liberian Dollars each (about $100 USD in total), an amount they consider insufficient and unaccounted for. With a base salary of $150 USD per month, the officers estimate that each is owed $1,650 USD in retroactive pay for the 11-month period.
Adding to their frustrations, the officers have not received formal employment letters, leaving them ineligible for benefits and exposing them to job insecurity. Families of six officers who died in service were informed they could not claim benefits as the deceased were only “affiliating” with the organization due to the absence of formal employment documentation. This lack of recognition has deepened the officers’ sense of neglect.
The financial strain has had devastating effects on the officers and their families. Many have had to withdraw their children from school or forgo essential healthcare. Without proper compensation, the officers face increased susceptibility to corruption, potentially compromising national security.
“This neglect not only endangers our livelihoods but also weakens Liberia’s security apparatus,” one officer warned. “If our 11 months of salary and employment letters are not addressed, we will be forced to take unspecified actions. As paramilitary officers, we know how to make our voices heard.”
The officers have called on the government and LNP administration to resolve their grievances urgently. They demand immediate payment of their salaries, issuance of employment letters, and acknowledgment of their contributions to national security.
The plight of Class 46 highlights systemic issues within Liberia’s law enforcement sector, including inadequate funding, administrative inefficiencies, and a lack of prioritization of personnel welfare. Reports of officers like Lusinei Manneh, Dennis Cooper, Prince F. Somah, and Otis Gweh succumbing to illnesses exacerbated by poor working conditions and lack of medical care further underscore the gravity of the situation.
The challenges faced by Class 46 serve as a stark reminder of the importance of investing in Liberia’s security forces. The government must act swiftly to address their grievances to prevent further demoralization and potential disruptions within the police force. The officers’ vital contributions to peace and order cannot be overlooked, and immediate action is essential to restore confidence and stability within the LNP.
