The Liberia National Police (LNP) has issued a public apology to the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) following concerns about the presence of armed police officers at a recent CDC rally in Congo Town.
The incident, which occurred along Tubman Boulevard during a CDC-organized event, drew public scrutiny after armed LNP officers were seen performing duties typically reserved for the Executive Protection Service (EPS), the agency tasked with providing security for high-profile officials, including VIPs.
In a statement released Monday, the LNP acknowledged the public’s concerns and clarified that its officers are primarily responsible for maintaining public order, traffic management, and crowd control, not VIP protection. The police force emphasized that its personnel assigned to former presidents and other entitled officials must strictly adhere to these roles.
“We extend our sincere apologies to the leadership of the Congress for Democratic Change for any misunderstanding or inconvenience this incident may have caused,” the LNP stated. “Our goal remains to support the EPS and ensure the safety of all public gatherings in line with the law.”
The LNP assured the public that it takes the matter seriously and will enforce stricter compliance with officers’ assigned duties in the future. The statement reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to professionalism and impartiality in maintaining public security.
The CDC has yet to publicly respond to the apology, but political observers say the move is a step toward easing tensions between opposition parties and state security agencies ahead of future political activities.
As Liberia continues to uphold democratic principles, the LNP’s acknowledgment of the misstep highlights the importance of clear operational boundaries between security agencies, a crucial factor in maintaining public trust during politically sensitive events.
