Washington, D.C – 6/14/16: The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP), C. Clarence Massaquoi, has lauded the United States and other international partners for their strong support to the LNP and other security apparatus of Liberia.Inspector General Massaquoi made the commendation on June 14, 2016, when he met with Hon. Axelander A. Arvizu, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.According to a dispatch from the Embassy of Liberia in Washington, Inspector-General Massaquoi said the Government and People of Liberia are grateful to the United States and other partners for their very strong support to Liberia’s security sector reform, especially progress that have been made in the restructure of the Liberia National Police. He also made specific reference to the U.S. Government’s continuous support to the LNP in the areas of training and mentoring. Inspector-General Massaquoi indicated that despite serious budgetary challenges, the Government of Liberia has made tremendous efforts in funding capacity projects in many parts of the country, and LNP officers are being deployed in various parts of Liberia in the wake of the drawdown of the forces of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).He stated that the LNP has attained the maximum level of training for its officers, but that there were serious challenges regarding the availability of the necessary equipment and tools to enable the officers to be effective in the performance of their duties.The veteran Liberian security official briefed Secretary Arvizu about the progress made in Liberia’s security sector reform, including the legislative passage of the Police and Immigration Acts, formulation of LNP strategic plan, as well as the approval of policies and regulations aimed at professionalizing the force. He spoke of efforts being made to build the LNP’s human resource capacity and ensure adherence to the rule of law and transparent justice in the enforcement of the law.Inspector-General Massaquoi then appealed to the United States and the other international partners for more support to buttress efforts of the Government of Liberia to ensure full security in anticipation of the UNMIL drawdown and the 2017 presidential and general elections in Liberia.For his part, Deputy Assistant Secretary Arvizu reaffirmed U.S. commitment to support Liberia’s security and progress. He described Liberia as a close partner of the United States, and assured that the U.S. will continue to support the LNP so that it has the capacity to ensure protection of life and property.Secretary Arvizu emphasized the need for the LNP to operate in compliance with the rule of law and respect for basic human rights.Inspector-General Massaquoi was accompanied to the State Department meeting by Hon. Jeff G. Dowana, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Liberia in Washington. Also at the meeting was Mr. Tony Fernandez, Director, Office of Africa and Middle East, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, U.S. Department of State.
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