Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has named Deputy Police Director Gregory Coleman to succeed Col. Chris Massaquoi as Director of the Liberian National Police.
Report by James Harding Giahyue (0886464195) [email protected]
The President has also recalled former Deputy Police Director for Operations Abraham Kromah to reassume the position.
President Sirleaf pronouncement on Friday validated the rumor of a major police shakeout that had swirled for the last two months or so. Both Coleman and Kromah are subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate.
They are to assume the titles “Inspector General” and “Deputy Inspector General”, respectively, in conformity with the newly legislated National Police Act.
The President said the nomination of the duo was manifestation of plan that had been long in the pipeline.
“I say it is been long in the making because the one who was nominated for consideration of the Legislature for commissioning is a long term police officer himself, one who has been nurtured by the police director Chris Massaquoi, a one who has served the police for so many years with diligence and commitment,”
President Sirleaf said. He was accompanied by members of the National Security Council, including the Minster of Justice Frederick Cherue, Minister of Defense Brownie Samukai and the Security Advisor Dr. Boima Fahnbulleh.
President Sirleaf praised the outgoing Director of the Police Col. Massaquoi for his long service in her government, having also served as Director of the Special Security Services (SSS) now Executive Protection Services and Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN).
“In fact, he nurtured Mr. Coleman, who once served as his own bodyguard and he encouraged him to progress in the force and to get additional training in the academic world enabling him to enhance his abilities and preparedness to assume these responsibilities,” President Sirleaf said of Col. Massaquoi.
“We want everybody to know that Director Massaquoi continues to have the full confidence of this government, which he has served so well for so many years,” the President added.
“He has skills and experience and it is still going to be required by this government and we are not discussing with him how we will continue to carry on in another role to be able to assist in the new leadership role of carrying on their function in protecting the state.”
She said she hoped that the new police leadership will tap on the experience of Director Massaquoi in the discharge of their duties.
Abraham Kromah is back
President Sirleaf also announced the reappointment of Kromah as Deputy Inspector General for Operations, a post he was only relieved of in 2015 following a series of melees with motorcyclists, coupled with the public outcry.
“Today [I wish] to inform [you of] the nomination of Abraham Kromah, who is returning to the police force,” the President said , as Kromah, flanked by outgoing Col. Massaquoi and his new boss, Coleman, bowed his head apparently awe-stricken.
“We believe that it will be favorably considered, enabling him to start the process of implementation of the other provisions of the National Police Act,” the President added.
UNMIL Drawdown
The Friday appointment pronouncement by the President, which is most likely to be the last of such appointment for the police as the clock ticks towards the end of her administration, comes just three months after the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) turned over security responsibilities to the Liberian security forces.
Despite repeated calls by the Mission for calm, that it has not departed the country, ordinary citizens are still yearning for a full UN presence as the 2017 general and presidential elections near.
“Let me say that we have confidence in our security forces,” President Sirleaf reechoed.
“We continue to build upon their needs and respond to those things that they need to enable them to carry out the functions that they will be assuming as UNMIL draws down but we also have confidence that the remaining forces of UNMIL will work with them and that our nation will continue to be safe and that we will meet what the requirements for the UNMIL departure.
“In the light of the UNMIL drawdown and the fact that we need to now build up on the progress that we have had with the national police force, we’re moving quickly to start the process of implementing the provisions of that act.”
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