Through the aid of the People’s Republic of China, Liberia today witnessed the dedication of a fingerprint lab at the Liberia National Police Headquarters in Monrovia.
This marks a signaficant improvement to the security sector in fighting crimes.
The endeavor comes at the time when Liberia and China continue to build on their diplomatic ties.
President Joseph Nyumah Boakai however committed his government’s support to the Liberia National Police (LNP) to foster a responsible and trusted police service.
“To have a society that can be trusted and protected, we have to believe in our police force and we have to equip them.
We can assure you that this government is going to do everything and seek every support, not just to beautify them but to ensure that the people of Liberia know they have protection in the police,” President Boakai affirmed.
The Liberian leader made this vow on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at the dedication of the fingerprint lab at the LNP headquarters.
He emphasized that the country can only be safe if the police are well-equipped to fight crimes and bring suspects to justice.
“If we equip the police, they will be able to fight crimes. When crimes happen, suspects will not go with impunity, and the people will not be left with pain because the police are equipped enough to fight crimes and make our country safe,” he stated.
In conjunction with the dedication, the LNP, through its Inspector General, sanctioned a memorandum of understanding with the People’s Republic of China to boost the police’s capacity to fight crimes.
The signing of the documents, which took place during the dedication ceremony, aims to enhance the police’s capabilities in forensic science.
At the dedication of the fingerprint laboratory, which is still in the test-running stage, Chinese Ambassador H.E. Yin Chengwu stated that the fingerprint laboratory will be an accelerator of the capacity-building of Liberia’s law enforcement.
He noted that the equipment of the lab is advanced and that Chinese technicians have installed the equipment and trained the Liberian operation officers.
“The equipment of the lab is advanced. This lab is the first of its kind in Liberia.
A week ago, the technicians from China installed the equipment and trained the Liberian operation officers.
The Chinese side will continue to provide technical support to ensure the normal operation of the lab. I believe that the LNP will be able to provide the Liberian people with better public security services,” Ambassador Yin said.
Furthermore, Ambassador Yin added that the fingerprint lab will advance President Boakai’s ARREST agenda, of which Rule of Law is a vital part.
He emphasized that the lab will enable the LNP to conduct better criminal investigations and provide more methods to combat crimes.
Ambassador Yin continued by asserting that the fingerprint lab is an accelerator of China-Liberia relations.
He revealed that, according to the agreement between the governments of China and Liberia, the Chinese government consented to undertake the Project of Fingerprint Examination Laboratory to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
He noted that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the China-Liberia relationship is entering a new stage.
China will adhere to principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith, promoting friendly, pragmatic, and win-win cooperation.
Ambassador Yin concluded by revealing that the third plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was successfully held in Beijing last week.
By implementing the spirit of the plenum, China will further deepen reforms and advance Chinese modernization.
He expressed that China and Liberia will be good partners in realizing modernization through mutual support and alignment of development strategies.
Meanwhile, the police also launched an official website to bring the LNP closer to the public.
The country manager of the International Development Law Organization, Chinyelumugo Okoh, stated that the launch of the police website is an effort to transition from a police force to a police service, making them more effective in fighting crimes.
“The website will make the police more accessible to the public and build the trust and confidence of the public in the police.
Through the use of this website, real issues will come to light, and the police will be more responsive in addressing them. This will build the confidence and trust of the public In the police,” she added.
