Monrovia — Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley has categorically denied claims that his department donated police vehicles to the Liberia National Police (LNP), saying no vehicles have ever been sent from Brooklyn Park to Liberia and that his department had no discussions with Liberian officials about providing vehicles.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh
Speaking in an interview with KMTV Liberia, Bruley said he was surprised by reports linking the Brooklyn Park Police Department to a fleet of vehicles currently being used by the LNP.
“I’ve never given a vehicle. We’ve never given Chief Coleman a vehicle. I’ve never sent a vehicle to Liberia,” Bruley said.
“I don’t know where that came from. I actually just heard it from community members that have asked me and called me about it.”
Bruley acknowledged that Brooklyn Park Police maintains a relationship with Liberian law-enforcement authorities and has provided police equipment that it believes could assist officers in carrying out their duties. However, he stressed that the relationship has never involved the donation or shipment of police vehicles.
“We certainly have a good relationship and have given police equipment that we think the Liberian police can use to do their job,” he said.
Asked directly whether there had been any conversation about helping Liberia acquire vehicles, Bruley responded: “No, none. None, never.”
He said he could not explain how the claim emerged, suggesting that information circulating on social media may have been misconstrued.
“I know unequivocally that there’s never been any vehicles from Brooklyn Park that have gone to Liberia,” Bruley said.
How Brooklyn Park Disposes of Police Vehicles
Bruley also explained the process through which police vehicles in Brooklyn Park are acquired and disposed of, distancing his department from any direct role in selling or transferring retired vehicles overseas.
According to the police chief, the city’s Public Works Division handles the purchase and disposal of vehicles, while Parks and Recreation manages vehicle servicing.
When police vehicles are retired, Bruley said, they are generally returned to Public Works, which typically sends them to auction. Some vehicles may instead be reassigned to other municipal departments after police equipment and emergency lights are removed.
“Most of them go to a police auction and get good use,” he said.
Dispute Over LNP Vehicle Fleet
Bruley’s comments come amid a growing public dispute over the origin and procurement of a fleet of used vehicles acquired by the Liberia National Police.
The controversy intensified after activist Martin Kollie, citing earlier reports, questioned the source of the vehicles and made allegations involving Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman and individuals allegedly connected to the ongoing narcotics investigation.
Kollie also challenged claims circulating publicly that the Brooklyn Park Police Department had donated the vehicles to the LNP.
The LNP, however, subsequently clarified that it did not claim to have received the vehicles as a donation from the Brooklyn Park Police Department.
In a statement issued on August 21, the police said the vehicles were procured from a private U.S. company, Guardian Fleet, to strengthen its mobility, patrol and emergency-response capabilities.
LNP: Vehicles Were Procured From Guardian Fleet
The LNP said its official institutional records do not support claims linking the vehicle procurement to individuals associated with the ongoing narcotics investigation.
“The LNP also confirms that it procured used operational vehicles from Guardian Fleet in the United States to strengthen police mobility, patrol, and emergency-response capabilities,” the statement said.
The police further rejected claims regarding the use of Starlink internet service, saying it does not use Starlink at any of its facilities.
“Internet connectivity is provided by the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LIBTELCO/LTC Mobile) under an official institutional contract,” the LNP said.
The institution urged the public to exercise caution when commenting on matters connected to ongoing investigations, while reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability.
A Question of Documentation
The competing accounts now place greater emphasis on the documentary trail surrounding the vehicles: who purchased them, who sold them, how payment was made, who authorized the transaction, and how the vehicles were ultimately transferred to Liberia.
While Brooklyn Park Police Chief Bruley has unequivocally denied that his department donated or sent vehicles to Liberia, the LNP maintains that the vehicles in question were purchased from Guardian Fleet, rather than donated by Brooklyn Park Police.
The conflicting claims underscore the need for the relevant procurement, payment, shipping, and transfer documents to be made available to establish the origin and ownership history of the vehicles beyond competing public assertions
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