MONROVIA – The Liberia National Police (LNP) has suspended four officers without pay over various alleged disciplinary violations, including assault, excessive use of force, negligence of duty, corruption and gross insubordination, as the police administration intensifies efforts to enforce professional standards and accountability within its ranks.
By Victoria G. Wesseh
The disciplinary actions, communicated through letters issued by the Police Human Resource Management Division between October 28 and 29, affect Patrolmen Thomas W. Woart, Roderick Samukai, John V. Roques and Melvin K. Jappah.
Among the four officers, Woart faces the most serious administrative action. He has been placed on indefinite suspension without salary and referred for criminal investigation.
However, the police announcement did not disclose the specific allegations against him or identify the authority responsible for conducting the investigation.
Patrolman Samukai was suspended for two months without pay for negligence of duty, while Patrolmen Roques and Jappah were each handed six-month suspensions without salary over alleged corruption and other disciplinary violations.
The actions underscore the LNP administration’s latest attempt to address alleged misconduct within the force, particularly violations involving the abuse of police authority, dereliction of duty and conduct inconsistent with the standards expected of law enforcement officers.
One Officer Referred for Criminal Investigation
Woart’s indefinite suspension stands out among the disciplinary measures, as his case has also been referred for criminal investigation.
Unlike the other three officers, whose penalties carry specified suspension periods, Woart’s suspension has no stated end date.
The referral suggests that the allegations against him may extend beyond internal disciplinary matters and warrant further criminal scrutiny.
However, the LNP has not publicly disclosed the circumstances surrounding the alleged misconduct or indicated whether formal criminal charges have been filed.
A referral for criminal investigation does not constitute a finding of guilt. Any criminal liability must be established through the appropriate legal process.
Six-Month Suspensions for Alleged Corruption
Roques and Jappah received the longest fixed suspension periods, with each ordered to remain off duty without salary for six months.
The police cited alleged corruption and other disciplinary violations as the basis for the sanctions but did not provide details about the nature of the alleged corrupt practices or whether the cases involved separate incidents.
Samukai, meanwhile, received a two-month suspension without pay for negligence of duty.
The LNP’s announcement also identified excessive use of force, assault and gross insubordination among the categories of misconduct addressed through the disciplinary actions. However, it did not clearly establish which specific allegations applied to each of the four officers.
Officers Ordered to Surrender Government Property
As part of the disciplinary measures, all four officers have been instructed to surrender government-issued properties during their respective suspension periods.
The directive is intended to ensure that officers relieved of active police duties do not retain official government assets while serving their suspensions.
The affected officers, however, retain the right to appeal the decisions in accordance with the LNP Administrative Instructions on Discipline and Professional Standards.
The appeals provision offers an administrative avenue through which the officers can challenge the sanctions imposed against them.
LNP Reaffirms Zero Tolerance for Misconduct
In announcing the disciplinary actions, the Liberia National Police reaffirmed its position that indiscipline and misconduct will not be tolerated within the institution.
The police administration emphasized that professionalism, integrity, accountability and respect for lawful authority remain fundamental standards for officers entrusted with protecting lives, enforcing the law and maintaining public order.
The institution also reiterated its commitment to enforcing disciplinary regulations, protecting public confidence and strengthening professionalism within the police service while respecting established procedures and the rights of affected officers.
The latest suspensions come amid continuing public expectations for police officers to exercise their authority responsibly and remain accountable for their conduct.
For an institution at the center of public safety and law enforcement, allegations of assault, excessive force and corruption carry particular weight because they concern the exercise of state authority over citizens.
Although the LNP has yet to disclose further details of the individual cases, the disciplinary measures reinforce the institution’s position that officers are subject to internal accountability mechanisms and that alleged violations can attract serious administrative consequences, including suspension without pay and referral for criminal investigation.
The statement was issued by the Liberia National Police Press and Public Affairs Division.
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