By George S. Tengbeh
“The man in uniform stole everything I had”
Monrovia, 10:30 p.m. A dark street in Clara Town. Mariama, had just closed her small grocery shop when a man in what appeared to be a Liberia National Police (LNP) uniform stopped her. “Hands where I can see them,” he ordered. Mariama obeyed, trembling. He demanded cash, her phone, and the day’s earnings.
She hesitated, and in that pause, he shoved her to the ground and fled with her bag. It was only later that Mariama realized: the uniform was fake. The “officer” was an impersonator. Stories like Mariama’s are becoming alarmingly common in Liberia.
From Monrovia’s crowded neighborhoods to smaller towns, ordinary citizens report harassment, extortion, and theft by men claiming to be police officers. The question is growing: has the Liberia National Police lost its oversight responsibility over its own officials?
The Scale of the Problem
A recent civil society survey found that over 70% of citizens in Monrovia have experienced or know someone affected by police impersonation or abuse. Cases range from fake officers collecting “security fees” to real officers abusing power and bypassing accountability mechanisms. The implications are far-reaching. When citizens cannot trust law enforcement, the social contract erodes. Ordinary Liberians, market vendors, schoolchildren, taxi drivers, live in fear of those who are supposed to protect them.
Ordinary Citizens, Extraordinary Pain
Take the case of Joseph Kamara, a taxi driver in Paynesville. One night, two men stopped his cab claiming to be police officers. They fined him $200 for a non-existent violation, threatened imprisonment, and left him shaken.
Only later did he confirm that no official paperwork existed. “I pay taxes to support the police, to feel safe,” Joseph said. “Now I am scared of them. How is this justice?” Women, in particular, are vulnerable. Many report harassment or intimidation by uniformed men on late-night streets.
Young men report being beaten during traffic checks, often without citations or explanation. The psychological toll is immense. Citizens feel powerless, humiliated, and isolated. In a country still recovering from civil conflict, the erosion of trust in law enforcement is a direct threat to social cohesion.
Oversight Mechanisms, Broken or Ineffective?
The Liberia National Police has internal oversight bodies intended to investigate misconduct. However, reports and audits indicate systemic weaknesses:
- Investigations are slow, often taking months or years.
- Allegations against officers rarely result in meaningful sanctions.
- Political influence and nepotism compromise investigations.
- Budgetary constraints leave internal affairs units under-resourced and understaffed.
As a result, both real and impersonating officers operate with near impunity. Citizens often feel there is no point in reporting misconduct, feeding a cycle of fear and lawlessness. Civil society organizations, such as the Liberia Governance Reform Network, have repeatedly called for independent oversight commissions, better training for officers, and mechanisms to track complaints and ensure accountability.
The Impersonation Epidemic
Impersonation is not new, but it has “skyrocketed” in recent years, according to sources within the police. Sophisticated counterfeit uniforms, badges, and vehicles make it nearly impossible for ordinary citizens to distinguish between legitimate officers and criminals. “This is a national crisis,” said a former LNP officer who requested anonymity. “It undermines trust and makes our job harder. When citizens fear police, cooperation vanishes.
Crime flourishes.” The financial cost is also tangible. Small businesses, like Mariama’s shop, lose earnings to criminals masquerading as law enforcers. Families, like Joseph Kamara’s, are forced to pay bribes just to survive. Communities begin to rely on informal security networks, neighborhood watches, vigilantes, which further erode state authority.
A System Under Stress
Several factors contribute to this crisis:
- Underpaid and Overworked Officers – Some real officers supplement meager salaries by skimming bribes.
- Weak Training – Many officers lack proper ethics, human rights, and oversight training.
- Political Interference – High-level protection shields officers from accountability.
- Poor Public Awareness – Citizens cannot easily verify legitimate police credentials.
Without systemic reform, impersonation will continue to thrive.
Stories of Courage
Despite fear, some citizens are standing up. Community groups in Monrovia have launched “Know Your Police” campaigns, teaching people how to identify legitimate officers, report misconduct, and avoid scams. A volunteer, Samuel, explained: “We go door to door, teach people to check uniforms, vehicle IDs, and phone numbers. Knowledge is protection.” Police reform advocates are pushing for mobile apps that allow citizens to verify officers and file complaints online. Pilot projects in Montserrado County show promise, but nationwide implementation remains limited.
Human Costs Beyond Money
While the financial impact of impersonation and police misconduct is severe, the human cost is more profound. Victims report trauma, sleepless nights, and loss of trust in institutions. Children grow up fearing uniforms rather than respecting them. Communities fracture as suspicion becomes the norm. A mother in Clara Town, whose daughter was threatened by a fake officer, said: “My child now refuses to walk home alone. She fears those who are meant to protect her. This is not safety, it is terror.”
Rebuilding Trust
Experts suggest a multi-pronged approach to restore confidence:
- Independent Police Oversight Commission – Free from political influence, empowered to investigate and prosecute misconduct.
- Transparent Reporting Mechanisms – Helplines, mobile apps, and local reporting centers.
- Training and Professionalization – Ethics, human rights, and community policing.
- Adequate Compensation – Officers should be paid fairly to reduce reliance on bribes.
- Community Engagement – Local councils and neighborhood committees to act as liaison with police.
Without these reforms, Liberia risks losing the final thread of legitimacy in law enforcement.
Closing Reflection
Mariama Johnson no longer runs her shop at night. Joseph Kamara drives shorter routes, avoiding dangerous areas. Liberia’s ordinary citizens, the backbone of its economy and society, now navigate life under the shadow of impersonation and neglect. “The uniform is supposed to protect,” Mariama said quietly. “Now it terrifies.” The Liberia National Police must answer: can it still oversee itself? Or has it lost the moral and operational authority it was meant to uphold?
Until oversight is strengthened, until accountability is enforced, the streets of Liberia belong as much to criminals as they do to the state. And the people, as ever, bear the cost.
About the author:
George S. Tengbeh is a Labour & Environmental Justice Advocate, researcher on climate change, and expert in Public Sector Management, Labour Economics & Policy, Governance, and Water Resource Management. He is the founder of the Liberia Labour and Governance Alliance (LILGA), a non-political civil society organization dedicated to exposing unfair labour practices and promoting good governance.
Contact me: Email: gstengbeh@gmail.com | 📞 Tel|Whatsapp: +231 880 767 070
