Minster Hon. Amara  Konneh view new graduates at the Police Academy march on...

Planning and Economic Affairs Minister Amara Konneh says those who deliberately assault police officers in the discharge of their duties must be prosecuted and sent to jail.

Underscoring the need for a strong rule of law in Liberia, Minister Konneh said officers of the Liberia National Police represent the State and he sees no reason why they would be assaulted by anyone or group.

The Planning Minister says there can be a better Liberia only if Liberians learn to respect constituted authorities, like the police.

Minister Konneh made the remarks Saturday during the graduation exercises of newly trained police officers at the Police Academy in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.  About 150 police officers of Class 36 were graduated following intensive training at the Academy.

The Liberian Official who delivered the keynote address at the ceremony challenged the Liberian police to be “citizens’ police” and be professional in the discharge of their duties. He told the police that their actions have the potential to derail the existing peace and security being enjoyed in the country.

“You are such an important part of the new Liberia we are building. Our country has suffered for too long. Some of us see policing as a job, but this is not a job, but a profession. It depends on what you make of it. From all the training you received from this academy, Iurged you to go out and be exceptional. Always come back for refresher. Don’t see this as just wearing a uniform,” Minister Konneh told the new police officers.

Minister Konneh said the police action can attract or drive away potential investments which will undermine job creation for Liberians.  He called on the police to enforce the law that will ensure the safety of the State. “For us to make Liberia go back up, we need to have a strong rule of law environment. We need to secure the State. You are in the center in securing the State and protecting everyone. You go after the law breaker and don’t allow your family member breaks the law and gets away with it.”

“If you go after everybody with equal justice before the law, the message you would be sending to the outside world is that Liberia is safe for investment. You will be telling the world that Liberia respects human rights; that Liberia is administering justice equitably.  More investments will come to the country and with more investments, there will be more jobs and the economy will start to go up.”

Minister Konneh who attended a UN Summit on Peace Building recently negotiated for a $25 million dollar grant for Peace Building activities in Liberia. According to him, a delegation from the UN Peace Building Commission is expected in Liberia to help support Liberia’s initiatives. “They are coming with lot promises. Part of the mission’s goal in Liberia is to come and look at you. They will look at the security sector and see the gains we have made and the gaps that exist for additional funding.”

He said his job was to make sure that “we go out and explain our problems to our development partners and ask for more support. If all goes well, at the end of their visit, and at the end of the UN summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) in September, Liberia should be receiving $25 million additional money to support peace building activities going forward.  And in our proposal, we actually said the Liberian National Police, so some of that money will be coming to you.”