By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor
Despite a steady rise in budgetary allocations, the Liberia National Police (LNP) continue to grapple with financial shortfalls that undermine its ability to deliver effective security services, according to Deputy Inspector General for Administration, Col. William K. Mulbah.
Appearing Monday on the Spoon Network’s flagship program The Spoon Talk, Col. Mulbah disclosed that the LNP remains underfunded even after receiving $23.2 million in the 2026 national budget. He argued that the increase, while notable on paper, is insufficient to meet the operational demands of a force tasked with policing a nation of more than five million people.
Mulbah traced the funding trajectory over the past three years. In 2024, the LNP operated on $21.3 million, of which $15 million was consumed by personnel costs, including salaries and benefits. The following year, the budget rose to $23.2 million, but $16.4 million again went directly to personnel. For 2026, allocations climbed slightly, yet more than $16.4 million remains earmarked for personnel, leaving roughly $9 million for goods and services.
“This structure leaves the institution struggling to cover basic operational needs,” Mulbah lamented. He cited shortages of uniforms for the force’s more than 5,000 officers and the burden of unplanned expenditures that routinely strain limited resources.
The Deputy Inspector General described the imbalance as a systemic challenge: while salaries are essential, the disproportionate share of the budget dedicated to personnel costs leaves little room for investment in logistics, training, mobility, and modern policing tools. He warned that without adequate funding, the LNP risks falling short of public expectations for safety and law enforcement.
Mulbah acknowledged the government’s efforts to support the police but stressed that the institution requires more than incremental increases. “We appreciate the allocations, but the reality is that the operational side of policing is starved,” he said, noting that effective law enforcement depends on equipping officers with the tools and resources necessary to respond to crime and maintain public order.
The disclosure underscores a broader debate over national priorities and resource distribution in Liberia. While the government has pledged to strengthen security institutions, critics argue that budgetary increments have not translated into tangible improvements in policing capacity.
The LNP’s predicament highlights the tension between wage obligations and operational readiness—a dilemma that continues to challenge public institutions across the country.
As Liberia confronts rising urbanization, complex crime patterns, and public demands for accountability, the police force’s financial constraints raise pressing questions about the sustainability of current funding models. For Col. Mulbah, the message is clear: without a recalibration of budget priorities, the LNP will remain under-equipped to fulfill its mandate as the nation’s premier security institution.
