By Olando Testimony Zeongar
CAPITOL HILL, LIBERIA – The Senate Committee on Defense Security Intelligence and Veteran Affairs has accused the Liberia National Police (LNP) of being in violation of the country’s security sector Standard Operation Procedure and Rules of Engagement.
The chairman of the Committee, Senator Steve Zargo of Lofa County, made the disclosure Thursday, when he along with River Gee Senator and co-chair of the Committee on Veteran Affairs, Commony Wesseh, jointly addressed a press briefing on Capitol Hill, Monrovia.
The Committee stated that the failure of authorities of the Ministry of Justice and the LNP to recall all specialized units of the police currently assigned at concession and mining companies, is a violation of the Standard Operation Procedure and Rules of Engagement.
Senator Zargo told the press briefing that specialized police units including the PSU (Police Support Unit) and ERU (Emergency Response Unit), were meant to be stationed at the central police Headquarters in Monrovia, the Charles B. Alphonso King Building, but are rather, currently deployed at concession and mining companies.
“We’ve raised the issue on several occasions, we’ve called the Inspector General of police, we’ve called the Attorney General, we’ve told them they ensure they come back – either they be deployed at the Charles B. Alphonso King Building or the Hub,” Senator Zargo stressed, adding, “Unfortunately, as we speak today, they have been deployed to mining and concession areas, which is a violation of our Standard Operation Procedure and our Rules of Engagement.
Meanwhile, the Committee is demanding a detailed listing of all PSU, ERU, and all other specialized units of the police assigned at concession and mining companies.
