By: James Myking Suah
BARCLAYVILLE, GRAND KRU — A heated dispute has erupted in Grand Kru County, with the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and County Commander, Clement Barlatt, strongly criticizing County Administrator Alphonso Teah. ACP Barlatt alleges that Mr. Teah illicitly sold a police vehicle that was mechanically disabled and parked in the Dougbo community, claims which the County Administrator has reportedly refuted by filing a counter-complaint.
ACP Barlatt, speaking to Ahteenah Radio during a phone interview on Wednesday morning, asserted that his duty is to “stop everything that the laws forbid,” which led to the confrontation with the County Administrator.
“He had a problem with me, I don’t have a problem with him, I was just doing my work,” ACP Barlatt stated. He claimed that in response to his actions, Mr. Teah began taking phone calls “all around the place, complaining about me,” and was even “able to change my assignment.
The core of the dispute centers on the sale of a police vehicle. ACP Barlatt narrated that the car had been parked in the Dougbo community since 2023, having suffered a breakdown while a senior official was traveling with the former President.
“They sold that car to three people which, according to him, GSA gave him,” ACP Barlatt alleged. He stated that when Mr. Teah ordered the vehicle to be moved from Dougbo to Barclayville, he refused and instead called his direct supervisor, the Commissioner of Police, who instructed the car be taken to the nearest police station.
“Mr. Teah and I argued about it, not knowing they had sold the police vehicle,” he explained.
The Police Commander voiced out that Mr. Teah allegedly contacted the General Services Agency (GSA), claiming the vehicle was abandoned—a claim Barlatt refuted to the authorities, stating the car was merely disabled. The situation escalated to the point where “the gentleman they sold the car to began to plead with me,” ACP Barlatt said, noting he responded that the matter was “above me” as it concerned police property. The vehicle was later successfully retrieved from the buyer in Behwwan.
The Police Chief broadened his accusations, also claiming that Mr. Teah sold a company container—though he declined to name the organization—which he stated was seized and is currently in police custody in Barclayville. Furthermore, ACP Barlatt accused the County Administrator of selling scraps in Chamgbetee.
“If you know your ethics, scope of operations, you will not intervene with others,” ACP Barlatt warned the Administrator.
The County Police official also accused Mr. Teah of coercing individuals from the Dougbo community to present “false and unfounded allegations” against him at the Liberia National Police headquarters in Monrovia. ACP Barlatt confirmed his central office contacted him, and he had “justified his actions.”
This internal conflict comes after it was referenced that Alphonso Teah recently filed a complaint against ACP Barlatt for alleged defamation of character. Mr. Teah, in his own defense, clarified that his part of the complaint was predicated upon the Commander’s accusing him of engaging in the sale of both government and private properties. He also claimed it was the Dougbo residents, not himself, who initially complained the police chief to Central.
ACP Barlatt, however, intimated that the Administrator’s allegations against him are based on “petty malice and hatred,” and ominously added that he possesses “scaring” recordings and messages pertaining to Mr. Teah.
The Officer in Charge of the Police Detachment advised the County Administrator to confine his complaints to matters within his jurisdiction.
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