Report by Massa Kanneh_masskanneh4@gmail.com
The Liberia National Police says it has disrobed four police officers linked to the shooting and alleged killing of an eighteen year old man in Kingsville, Montserrado County.
Speaking at a news conference in Monrovia Monday, Deputy Police Inspector General Saditu Reeves said investigation established that on June 24, 2019, six police officers were in possession of firearms.
Deputy Inspector Reeves told the news conference that Commander Philip Johnson, Inspector Morris Dahn, Sargent Emannuel Melikamue, Patrolman Thomas Pobleh, Patrolman Ernest Kurah and Patrolman Josephus Lewis are those that were carrying firearms during the bloody protest.
Inspector Reeves said the disrobed officers Inspector Dahn, Sargent Malikamue, Patrolman Pobleh, and Patrolman Lewis, will be interdicted half of their salary payment.
She furthered that the officers have been turned over to the Professional Standard division of LNP, if found guilty, they will be prosecuted in the Court of Law.
Following a standard investigation, the administration of the Liberian National Police established that the justification provided by these four officers that they had to discharge live bullets in the air which claimed the life of one person is a complete contradiction of the LNP policies and International standards on the use of fire arms by police officers.
The option to use live bullets in the air, lacks necessity, reasonability, proportionality and right judgment.
In view of this investigation, the administration of the Liberian National Police hereby disrobed these four police officers and turns them over for further investigation.
The deputy police inspector general further remains the Police commitment to protecting the lives of citizens and enhancing the rule of law.