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, are 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 research uses 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); 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
“Police Reform and Internal Security in Liberia"
Venue: March 18, 2011, Monrovia City Hall Ball Room, 11:00 am.
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 of the Liberian National Police (LNP) conducted within the SIPRI-OSI project on Africa Security and Governance. Speakers included the author of the study, Oscar Bloh (SFCG), the Inspector-General LNP, Liberian parliamentarians as well as 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.
For more information about Search for Common Ground, visit their website.
For more information, contact Oscar Bloh, SFCG Liberia, or Wale Ismail or Elisabeth Sköns, SIPRI.
