This violent exchange is part of a troubling pattern of public altercations involving the Liberia National Police./A police officer and motorcyclist in fist fight in Jallah Town.
MONROVIA — In the past 24 hours, a wave of videos has swept across social media, showing officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) caught in physical altercations on the streets.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected] & Edwin Genoway, [email protected]
These disturbing scenes, especially one showing a fistfight between a police officer and a man believed to be a motorcyclist, have ignited a fierce public debate about the professionalism and conduct of Liberia’s law enforcement.
The confrontation at Jallah Town
On Sunday afternoon, an already tense scene unfolded at the Jallah Town last stop, a critical checkpoint that prevents motorcyclists from entering restricted areas of Monrovia.
What began as a routine enforcement of traffic laws quickly escalated into a chaotic and violent confrontation between police officers and a commercial motorcyclist.
Witnesses recount how the situation turned volatile when the police attempted to seize the motorcyclist’s bike, preparing to tow it away after he allegedly attempted to enter a restricted area.
When the motorcyclist resisted, a physical fight erupted. Eyewitnesses described seeing the two men exchanging blows, while a crowd of bystanders reacted with shock and disapproval.
Many voiced their frustrations with the police, accusing them of overstepping their authority and handling the situation poorly.
As the altercation continued, a new twist emerged. According to witnesses, other motorcyclists who had gathered nearby seized the opportunity to make off with the motorcycle, escaping the scene before the police could react.
This violent exchange is part of a troubling pattern of public altercations involving the Liberia National Police.
Just a week before the Jallah Town incident, a similar situation occurred when violence broke out between police officers and members of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) at a checkpoint in central Monrovia.
That confrontation, which followed the arrest of soldiers in plain clothes, resulted in one police officer being injured and hospitalized. The clash, which sparked panic throughout the capital, quickly escalated when both sides brought in reinforcements.
Many observers noted that the violence felt reminiscent of Liberia’s troubled past, when such public confrontations were all too common.
The Armed Forces of Liberia condemned the altercation, calling it an “unauthorized use of force” by unidentified military personnel.
The AFL leadership vowed to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable. Still, the rising frequency of these violent outbursts has led many citizens to question the ability of the LNP to maintain order in the streets and uphold the public’s trust.
In the wake of these troubling incidents, social media platforms have been buzzing with public outcry. Many Liberians are calling for reforms within the LNP, citing the growing number of violent confrontations between the police and citizens.
Public comments on these viral videos have ranged from condemnation of police conduct to calls for better training and a complete overhaul of the force.
Albert Sherman, a concerned citizen, expressed his belief that the root of the issue lies in how the police force was built, stating, “I think the Government needs to be smart. Majority of these police officers were trained by the CDC government, but they didn’t do the best by taking qualified individuals into the police. Their selection was based on party lines. Therefore, the Government needs to retrain the majority of our police because many are members of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).”
Adama Baffalee pointed to the lack of organization at the top level, saying, “When you have disorganized leaders in the country, this is what you experience.”
The criticism was echoed by Edward Walters, who bluntly declared, “The Liberia National Police has totally lost the trust of the people. They are reckless, unprofessional, and lack composure.”
Defenders of the Police
However, not everyone is quick to condemn the police. Some members of the public have come to the defense of the officers, arguing that they were simply doing their duty and had no choice but to react in self-defense. Moses Tellewon, one such defender, said, “If you don’t respect the police and decide to attack them, they have to protect themselves. They have to restrain him like that because there’s no gun to make him afraid. There’s nothing shameful in this.”
Edward Taylor also voiced his support for the officers, stating, “What’s disgraceful is a civilian fighting with a uniformed officer. This should never happen, regardless of who’s right or wrong. Try this in America, and you’ll see what happens.”
While these defenders of the police argue that officers should be respected, the broader public concern remains. The fact that the police are often seen as being at the center of these violent incidents raises critical questions about their professionalism and their ability to effectively serve and protect the public.
The viral videos of police officers involved in public altercations have served as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the LNP in its efforts to maintain order and uphold the law.
Public trust in the police is at an all-time low, and many Liberians are questioning whether the police can truly fulfill their mission of ensuring safety and security.
As the relationship between the police and the public continues to sour, it is clear that something must be done to restore professionalism and trust in the country’s law enforcement agencies. Without meaningful reforms and accountability, the cycle of violence and public dissatisfaction is likely to continue, undermining the very fabric of the nation’s peace and security.
