08/25/2007

Criminality, especially armed robbery and gender-based violence, remains prevalent in Liberia. In 2004, the UN began to reform the Liberia National Police (LNP) from scratch with a mandate to restructure, retrain and re-equip the police service. 3,522 students have graduated from the Police Academy, and are being deployed throughout the country.

The LNP recently received a donation of smart new uniforms from the USA. But basic personal police equipment, including rain gear, is currently available to less than half the members of the LNP. Outside of the Police Academy, there are no barracks to provide accommodation for LNP members, and there is no housing allowance for those who serve in the counties.