By: Karino Teah
Sinoe County – In a startling revelation, Superintendent of Police Madam Cecelia K. Howard has disclosed that the Liberia National Police (LNP) in Sinoe County is operating without a single functioning vehicle, severely crippling their ability to respond to crime—particularly in remote and hard-to-reach communities.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Liberia Excellent News Network Sinoe County Correspondent, Madam Howard raised the alarm over what she described as a critical logistics crisis.
“Our officers are buying their own motorbikes just to do their job,” she said with visible frustration. “By the time we reach crime scenes, suspects are often long gone.”
Self-Funded Policing: Officers Pay to Serve
In a deeply troubling admission, Howard revealed that the police force in Sinoe is effectively self-funded, with officers spending their own money to transport themselves and perform daily duties.
This alarming situation not only threatens the effectiveness of law enforcement but also raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to ensuring public safety in rural counties.
“The LNP in Sinoe is largely self-supported,” she said. “We’re doing everything we can with what little we have—but it’s not sustainable.”
Justice Delayed, Insecurity Rising
As crime continues to climb in rural areas, many citizens are losing confidence in the ability of the police to protect them. Residents complain of delayed responses, unsolved cases, and growing lawlessness in outlying communities.
Madam Howard is calling on both the Ministry of Justice and the LNP Headquarters for urgent intervention, appealing for the immediate provision of vehicles and basic logistical support.
“We can’t enforce the law without tools. We need help—now.”
A Call to Action
Despite the mounting challenges, Superintendent Howard urged the public to continue reporting crimes and working with local police, stressing that community cooperation is key to maintaining order while the system struggles.
This public plea comes as nationwide concerns grow over failing infrastructure in Liberia’s justice sector and the widening gap between rural and urban security.
