SUAKOKO, BONG COUNTY – In a groundbreaking move aimed at reshaping the future of law enforcement in Liberia, the Liberia National Police (LNP) has entered into a formal partnership with Cuttington University to merge academic education with professional police training. The initiative, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the university’s campus, is being hailed as a major step toward building a more capable, ethical, and youth-driven police force.
Inspector General Gregory O.W. Coleman, who presided over the signing, described the partnership as a transformative effort to close longstanding manpower gaps within the LNP while elevating the quality of policing through structured higher education. “This program is not merely about recruitment—it’s about building a service-oriented, resilient police force with a commitment to professionalism,” Coleman said during the ceremony.
The program, known as the LNP-Cuttington University Capacity Development Program, will initially admit 20 top candidates through a competitive selection process. These recruits will undergo rigorous academic and police training, equipping them with the intellectual and practical skills required for modern law enforcement. Coleman noted that those who successfully advance in their studies may be placed on the LNP payroll, enabling them to continue their academic journey while serving the nation.
Deputy Inspector General for Training and Manpower Development, Sadatu L.M. Reeves, called the initiative a bold reform agenda designed to tackle some of the LNP’s most pressing challenges. She urged young Liberians, particularly women, to seize the opportunity, stressing the program’s potential to create long-term change within Liberia’s security framework.
Cuttington University President Dr. Romelle A. Horton lauded the collaboration as a symbol of institutional strength and national purpose. “This agreement goes beyond infrastructure; it delivers vital knowledge and promotes the values of justice, peace, and the rule of law,” she said. Dr. Horton also emphasized that the partnership would be measured not by accolades, but by tangible results in the form of safer communities and strengthened public trust.
The event was attended by a cross-section of national leaders and stakeholders, including Civil Service Agency Director Josiah Joekai, Senator Prince Moye, members of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Liberia Immigration Service, and the Liberia Fire Service. A student-composed anthem urging the police to uphold peace added a poignant tone to the occasion, reinforcing the spirit of unity and civic responsibility.