“The latest decision followed separate investigating Police Professional Standards Division (PSD) conducted into allegations of police officers’ misconduct, and professional impropriety including the poor handling of a gang rape in Bong and Nimba counties.”—Memo.
For the second time in recent weeks, authorities of the Liberia National Police (LNP) have suspended five officers without pay.
Among those suspended is James Kartoe, Chief of Crime Services Division (CSD) assigned in Gbarnga, Bong County.
Kartoe is suspended for one month without pay, and
ordered his transfer after completing the suspension.
Inspector Hawa B. Kromah, Commander of the Women and Children Protection Section at the Bong County Police Detachment as affected by the suspension.
Madam Kromah was placed on one-month suspension without pay, and will likewise be transferred upon the completion of the disciplinary action.
Chief Inspector Kessellee Tarwuleh, Regional Commander of the Women and Children Protection Section, was also suspended for one month without pay.
Chief Inspector Saye Kagborkaye received the same disciplinary measure.
In Nimba County, Chief Inspector Alphonso Dahn of the Police Support Unit, was suspended for one month without pay.
The latest decision followed separate investigations the Professional Standards Division (PSD) conducted into allegations of police officers’ “misconduct, and professional impropriety in Bong and Nimba counties, including the poor handling of a reported gang rape in Bong County.”
The disciplinary action, as ordered by Police Inspector General, Greg D. W. Coleman, was announced through an internal PSD communication, affects officers assigned to the Women and Children Protection Section (WACPS) in Bong County and the Police Support Unit (PSU) in Nimba County.
The move underscores LNP’s internal disciplinary process as complaints against officers continue to draw public attention.
PSD, the investigations were launched after Bong County Attorney, Jonathan N. Flomo, filed complaints involving officers of the Women and Children Protection Section.
The probe followed a complaint the Bong County
Attorney, Jonathan N. Flomo, who accused the affected officers of failing to properly assess evidence in the case, which involved complainant Martha Gbarngblee, suspect Alex Sandee, and Joshua Johnson.
Madam Gbarngblee reported that the men tied her and repeated raped her while she was undergoing tadeonal treatment.
Medical report shows injuries, and evidence of penetration, but the Police, instead charged the suspects with “aggravated assault, felony restraint, and reckless endangerment,” not gang rape.
In a separate case, Nimba County businessman, Emmanuel Tozay, lodged a complaint against a Police Support Unit officer.
Following the investigations, James Kartoe, was suspended for one month without pay.
The PSD also ordered that Kartoe be transferred after completing the suspension.
Inspector Hawa B. Kromah, Commander of the Women and Children Protection Section at the Bong County Police Detachment, was placed on one-month suspension without pay, and will likewise be transferred upon the completion of the disciplinary action.
Chief Inspector Kessellee Tarwuleh, Regional Commander of the Women and Children Protection Section, was also suspended for one month without pay.
Chief Inspector Saye Kagborkaye received the same disciplinary measure.
In Nimba County, Chief Inspector Alphonso Dahn of the Police Support Unit, was suspended for one month without pay.
The PSD further directed him to restitute 60 gallons of fuel reportedly taken from complainant Emmanuel Tozay.
The internal directive ordered all five officers to immediately cease performing police duties throughout the duration of their suspensions.
The disciplinary measures are intended to uphold professional standards, and reinforce accountability within LNP.
However, the PSD communication did not disclose the specific acts of “misconduct” that led to the sanctions. It also did not indicate when the suspensions would officially take effect, leaving important details of the investigations undisclosed.
As of publication late last night, LNP had not issued a public statement providing additional information on the findings of the investigations, or explaining the circumstances that resulted in the disciplinary actions.
The suspensions are expected to renew public discussion about transparency, discipline, and accountability within the law enforcement institutions, as many continue to call for a police service that upholds professionalism, integrity, and public confidence.
