CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia — Inspector General of Police Gregory Coleman is urgently pressing Liberian lawmakers to supplement the Liberia National Police’s (LNP) draft 2026 budget with an additional US$12 million, warning that the force faces critical manpower shortages that are undermining national security.
The LNP’s draft budget currently stands at US$25,789,660. Coleman testified before the House of Representatives on Tuesday that the extra funding is vital for recruiting, training, and deploying new officers to address significant gaps in policing capacity nationwide.
The LNP currently has approximately 5,000 active police officers, falling far short of the recommended minimum of 8,000 set when UNMIL withdrew in 2016. Coleman highlighted the severe citizen-to-officer ratio:
- Current Ratio: In some areas, one officer may be responsible for as many as 3,500 civilians.
- International Standard: The generally accepted international policing standard is one officer per 450 civilians.
“Our population has grown, but our police strength has not kept pace,” Coleman stated. “To provide the level of security our citizens deserve, we need to train at least 1,500 new officers each year over the next two years. That alone requires no less than US$12 million.”
Coleman detailed that the requested funds would be used to refurbish the Police Training Academy, enhance field deployments, and equip officers. He confirmed that initial training would be scheduled between July and December 2026, with salaries for the graduates planned for the subsequent fiscal year’s budget.
The Police Chief explicitly linked the funding shortfall to a broader decline in public safety, noting that the LNP is increasingly strained by responding to violent crime, community conflicts, and civil unrest with severely limited personnel.
“If the police do not have the strength, training, and logistics, it affects the entire justice system and undermines public confidence,” he argued.
He also referenced recent disciplinary issues, such as the case involving detainee Yarkpawolo Moisemah in Lofa County, stating the incident revealed systemic training gaps that must be urgently addressed.
During the session, lawmakers, including presiding Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, acknowledged the LNP’s challenges but cautioned Coleman to discuss sensitive operational matters in executive session.
Despite the caution, Coleman remained firm, concluding: “With this investment, we can begin to close the gap between our current capacity and international policing standards… The safety of every community depends on it.”
The request has been referred to the House’s Joint Committee on Ways, Means, Finance, and National Security for review before returning to the plenary for a decision.