Monrovia -The Liberia National Police (LNP) today held a turnover ceremony where it received a comprehensive peace support operations training curriculum from Retired Police Commissioner Crowd Chirenje of Zimbabwe, a seasoned policing expert with over 44 years of service in United Nations and African Union missions.
Commissioner Chirenje praised the Inspector General of Police and the LNP leadership for their cooperation and support, noting that their professionalism made his work in Liberia smooth and effective.
He explained that the traditional concept of “peacekeeping” is evolving into “peace support operations,” reflecting the complexity of modern conflicts where peace must often be created before it can be sustained.
He emphasized that Liberia has now joined the ranks of African states committed to assisting others in conflict situations, helping them return to stability and development.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General of Police for Operations, Hon. Cllr. J. Nelson Freeman, described the handover as a milestone achievement.
He stressed that training and capacity building are the foundation of effective policing worldwide and assured that the documents, including administrative instructions, terms of reference, and the training curriculum, will be fully utilized to strengthen the knowledge and skills of Liberian police officers.
He expressed gratitude to Commissioner Chirenje for his tireless efforts, research, and sacrifice in preparing the curriculum, noting that it will greatly enhance the LNP’s ability to contribute to peace support operations abroad.
Inspector General of Police Hon. Gregory O. W. Coleman later underscored the broader vision of Liberia’s peace support operations.
He thanked the people of the United Kingdom for their generous taxpayer support of the initiative, which will not only strengthen Liberia’s peace support capacity but also prepare the LNP to assist other nations in need.
He explained that the LNP is reimagining peacekeeping from a reactionary role to a preventive one, focusing on how to prevent conflict and sustain peace before disruption occurs.
IGP Coleman announced plans to embed peace support operations training into the LNP’s recruit curriculum, ensuring that new officers are prepared from the outset for international peace support roles.
The Liberia Police Chief also revealed the intent to establish a dedicated Peace Support Operations Division at the Police Academy site, transforming unused property into a hub for training and capacity building.
He commended the Academy for its role in hosting the initiative and confirmed that the documents will be presented to the LNP Policy Management Board for approval and adoption into official administrative regulations.
This handover marks a significant step in strengthening the Liberia National Police’s capacity for effective leadership, conflict prevention, and participation in peace support operations across Africa and beyond.
