MONROVIA – The Liberia National Police (LNP) has taken public, disciplinary action against nearly two dozen officers in a single month. A September 2025 disciplinary report, released by the LNP on Tuesday, reveals a spectrum of transgressions, from assault and fraud to a more systemic issue: the outright refusal of officers to report to their assigned duty stations, particularly in rural areas.
In the most severe actions, three officers—Aziz Zenepaye, Joseph S. Sherman, and Charles B. Walker—were summarily dismissed for a critical breach of trust: receiving “hardship allowance” intended for officers in difficult postings, only to “self-deploy” without authorization and fail to report to their assigned locations.
Furthermore, five other officers—including Quincy N. Barcolleh and Cyrus J. Boway—were suspended for six months with pay deductions for similar violations, indicating a pattern of resistance to deployments outside the capital.
“This isn’t just about insubordination; it’s about a breakdown in the chain of command and a refusal to serve the entire nation,” said a security analyst who requested anonymity to speak freely. “When officers paid for hardship refuse to endure it, it creates a two-tiered policing system where rural communities are left dangerously underserved.”
The LNP report, signed by spokesperson DCP Cecelia G. Clarke, frames the actions as a reaffirmation of the force’s “firm commitment to integrity, transparency, and public trust.” The measures were enacted following investigations by the LNP’s internal watchdog, the Professional Standards Department (PSD).
Beyond the deployment crisis, the report details a litany of misconduct that has eroded public confidence:
Patrolman Lavela Jusu Harris was suspended indefinitely without pay for failing to deliver a rental apartment after collecting $400 from a complainant, a case of fraud that exploits his position of authority.
Patrolman Reuben Kanswen received a one-month suspension without salary for assault and property damage during a domestic altercation, a violation that connects police brutality to private life.
Cpl. Vivian S. Gbollie was suspended for two weeks for “insulting/offensive remarks” toward a senior officer, revealing internal friction and disrespect within the ranks.
The disciplinary process also showed a measure of leniency and administrative diligence. Seven officers initially accused of being AWOL were exonerated after it was verified they had, in fact, reported to their remote posts—a correction that prevents punishing officers who actually complied. The force also made accommodations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and serious medical conditions, recommending redeployment for affected officers.
The LNP announced a financial review to claw back “hardship allowance” from any officer who did not legitimately earn it. This move signals an attempt to curb what appears to be a costly and systemic abuse of the allowance system.
