By Amos Harris
Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia National Police (LNP) is facing intense public scrutiny and serious questions about its internal controls after the shocking revelation that a man had been posing as a senior police officer for years, his ruse only exposed by a car accident.
On August 18, 2025, a man identified as Melvin Swen, who had been parading as a “Chief Inspector” in full police uniform, was rushed to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital following a car accident. It was only when LNP authorities attempted to verify his status that they discovered the truth: Swen had never been a member of the force.
Eyewitnesses and community residents say Swen had been a fixture in Monrovia’s neighborhoods, confidently patrolling streets, flashing a badge and ID, and interacting with citizens as if he were a legitimate senior officer. His prolonged ability to operate undetected has left the public alarmed and distrustful of the police’s vetting and oversight systems.
“This is embarrassing for the country. If someone can wear a full uniform, carry a badge, and act like an inspector for years without being caught, it means the system is completely broken,” a Duala resident lamented.
Some citizens believe Swen may not be an isolated case. Reports suggest that along the busy Duala belt, individuals in ragged police uniforms, believed to be unauthorized imposters, have been extorting money from market women, motorcyclists, and drivers.
Even more troubling are community suspicions that some senior officers may be complicit in such impersonations. “Sometimes they tell their ‘boys’ to go hustle for them,” one local businessman alleged, hinting at a culture of complicity that severely undermines public trust in law enforcement.
The LNP has yet to issue a comprehensive public statement beyond confirming Swen’s arrest and an ongoing investigation. However, the incident raises urgent questions about the credibility of Liberia’s security institutions: How many more “Inspector Swens” are operating undetected, and what does this scandal say about a force already under fire for its effectiveness?
As Liberia grapples with rising crime rates, this incident underscores the urgent need for sweeping reforms in police recruitment, monitoring, and accountability to restore public confidence.
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