THE LIBERIAN NATIONAL POLICE

The effect of Corruption in policing and how The Liberian National Police, Departments in transition and emerging organizations can learn from the corrupt legacy and past experiences of the NYPD and become efficient and effective



Table of Contents

Introduction2

Background of the problem2

Liberia's origin4

Literature review6

Liberia Political Map13

A Review of the US and the Liberian Justice System14

Courts23

Corrections25

Methodology35

Overview of the Phenomenon of Police Corruption35

Types of Corruption41

Bribery and extortion41

Kickbacks41

Diversion of police resource42

Deceptive practices42

Theft42

Pre-meditated criminal activity42

Favoritisms43

Discipline44

A. Hypothesis or Research Question-46

B. Scope and Limitation46

C. Research Design46

D. Measure and Source of Information46

E. Techniques of Analysis46

The Tubman Years (1944-71)50

The Tolbert Administration (1971-80)54

The Doe Years and the Civil War56

Conclusions/Recommendations63

Recommendations69

Limitation of the study72

Ethical considerations72

References74

The effect of Corruption in policing and how The Liberian National Police, Departments in transition and emerging organizations can learn from the corrupt legacy and past experiences of the NYPD and become efficient and effective

Introduction

Background of the problem

If emerging and newly restructured police organizations, like the Liberian National Police (LNP), are to guard against the corrupt practices that plagued the New York Police Department (NYPD), more internal review and adjustment has to be adopted by policy makers. Nevertheless, the most any emerging or restructured organization like the Liberian National Police can do at this junction to have comprehensive review of previous experiences by an organization that has already undergone restructuring and adjustment. Considering the historical ties between the USA and Liberia in general and the LNP and the NYPD in particular, a reflection of the tendencies of the culture of corruption during those dark days in the NYPD has to be examined, for a realistic understanding of the cause and effect of the problem in Liberia. This paper will include the views of scholars professionals in the field of criminal justice, and law enforcement practitioners with a desire to provide organizations the necessary understanding of police corruption and to a larger extent understand the relationship between politics and police corruption; a pervasive act.. At the end of this paper, a central understanding of corruption and its root causes will allow for a realistic outlook at other initiatives and intervention strategies, which will include community policing and community intervention strategies; steps that would enhance the involvement of the community in molding the action of police officers.

This paper will also provide a general and practical review of police corruption with the desire to guide new and emerging departments to prevent this pervasive behavior. The history of corruption that prompted the creation of the Knapp and the Mollen Commissions is a relevant reference point that will be a focus of this paper.

Why this paper at this time? This review became very necessary during this time of tremendous demand for police services for several reasons; paramount amongst which is the need and desire for accountability in society, which will be examined in this paper. Another set of reasons for the review of the effect of police corruption considered in this paper are:

1-To guard against those practices that set the basis for the non enforcement of a wide range ...