MONROVIA, September 7 (LINA) - Police Inspector General Chris Massaquoi has urged Liberians to carry out “citizen arrest” on any police officer involved in criminal activities, assuring that said officer will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Police Director made the statement against the backdrop of the growing wave of criminal activities in the country in recent times for which residents are alleging police involvement.
The Police Chief made the statement at a program marking the launch of the Community Watch Teams throughout Liberia in the fight against crimes and violence organized by the Community Watch Forum in Paynesville outside Monrovia on Saturday.
Massaquoi noted that the LNP is investigating the trend of organized criminal gangs and has stepped up its intelligence and patrol across the city, especially at the level in which police involvement is alleged.
He pointed out that police investigation has revealed that criminal gangs are wearing private security uniforms resembling police uniforms to carry out their crime, terrorizing peaceful citizens during curfew hours.
“When the citizens see them in those uniforms then they conclude that the police are burglarizing their homes at night,” he said, adding “because of this we have stopped private securities from using those uniforms.”
Massaquoi assured that the police will work with citizens to prevent crime in the country and requested the cooperation of every Liberian as an essential component in curbing armed robbery at night.
He also stated that the police will work with the community watch forum to structure various communities watch teams in order to help prevent crimes within their communities during the curfew hours.
LINA CB/JGT/APTK