MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Officer Bioma E. S. Taylor of the Liberia National Police (LNP) has formally lodged a complaint against Officer Varney Moore (OPS9) with Hon. Gregory O.W. Coleman, Inspector General (IG) of the Liberia National Police (LNP). In a letter dated July 1, 2024, Officer Taylor detailed a serious incident involving Officer Moore, who allegedly obstructed the operations of the Liberia Electricity Corporation’s (LEC) Inspection Team and exhibited unprofessional behavior.
The incident in question occurred on June 27, 2024, in the Banjor Community, where the LEC’s Inspection Team, supported by Officer Yangai Flomo and Officer Taylor, was conducting routine inspections of LEC assets dedicated to customer premises. The team included Supervisor Campbell E.Y. Gonmen, Linesman Sylvester Tugbeh, and Driver Alphanso Peter.
During the inspection, the team identified power theft at the residence of a customer reportedly in the United States and allegedly connected to Officer Moore. As the team began disconnecting the illegal power connection, a resident called Officer Varney Moore, who arrived at the scene and used his authority to halt the inspection.
Officer Taylor recounted that he attempted to reason with Officer Moore, warning him that obstructing the LEC’s inspectors would have consequences. Despite this, Officer Moore continued to impede the team’s work, resorting to insults and threats against Officer Taylor and the inspection team.
Faced with escalating hostility, the inspection team had no choice but to abandon their operations in the Banjor Community and move to another area. However, Officer Moore and his subordinates followed the team and forced their vehicle (LEC Vehicle #146) to pull over. Even after intervention by another officer, identified only as 105, Moore persisted in his confrontational behavior.
Officer Taylor’s letter to the Inspector General emphasized the gravity of Moore’s actions, noting that his behavior not only disrupted official duties but also incited anti-police sentiments among local residents. Taylor expressed concern over the potential danger this posed to police officers supporting the Anti-Power Theft (APT) Operations across Liberia.
“It is unacceptable for an officer, who should be a beacon of peace and hope for ordinary citizens, to incite others against a peace officer and service providers of the state’s own electricity company,” Taylor wrote. He called for an impartial investigation into Officer Moore’s conduct and for appropriate penalties to be imposed for the breach of professional conduct and abuse of power.
Taylor assured that he has photos and video evidence of the incident, which he is prepared to submit during the investigation.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in enforcing anti-power theft measures and emphasizes the importance of professional conduct among law enforcement officers in maintaining public trust and order.
