Case study: Liberia
Contact person: Oscar Bloh
Title: Police reform and internal security in Liberia
Description:
Reforming, transforming and re-professionalizing key security agencies, including the police and military, is crucial to meeting post-war security needs in Liberia. This study looks at the police reform component of security sector reform in post-conflict Liberia. It examines the nature, scope and adequacy of the reforms, especially in meeting Liberia’s internal security needs. The research assesses the type, level and relevance of training; the extent to which the reform reflects Liberia’s priorities and ownership; and the capacity of the reform to cater for the security needs of different social groups, especially women.
The researchers use a combination of desk research and field research—including semi-structured interviews with police officers, lawmakers and officials of government ministries (Defence, National Security and interior); the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL); and leaders of civil society groups and community activists—and focus group discussions involving randomly selected local Liberians reflecting gender and inter-generational participation.
Launch event: 18 March 2011, Monrovia
'Police Reform and Internal Security in Liberia'
This seminar was organized by Search for Common Ground (SFCG) Liberia in partnership with SIPRI to present and discuss the findings of the Liberia country case study on security sector reform (SSR) of the Liberian National Police (LNP) conducted as part of the SIPRI–OSI project on Africa Security and Governance. Speakers included the author of the study, Oscar Bloh (SFCG), the Inspector-General of the LNP, Liberian parliamentarians and representatives of the Liberian Government, UNMIL, the United States embassy, Action Aid, the civil society network on SSR in Liberia and other civil society organizations.
Download the report (PDF).
For more information about Search for Common Ground visit its website.
For more information contact Oscar Bloh (SFCG Liberia) or Elisabeth Sköns (SIPRI).
