by Rocheford T. Gardiner
MONROVIA – The Liberia National Police (LNP) has been hit by a high-profile resignation as its prominent spokesperson, Cecelia G. Clarke (Badge #7058), stepped down following an ambiguous and immediate reassignment order. The move has ignited a fresh wave of public scrutiny toward the LNP leadership and the administration of President Joseph Boakai.
The “Immediate” Transfer
On February 17, Clarke received an official transfer letter that took “immediate effect,” abruptly removing her from the public relations spotlight. The correspondence stated that the LNP had “resolved to have you relieved of the PR and reassigned at the Protocol Division,” a department currently headed by Sam Collins.
The administration cited the “end of tenure” as the justification for the move. Along with the reassignment, Clarke was ordered to immediately turn over all working materials and report directly to the office of Unit 110—the Chief of Staff for Inspector General Gregory Coleman.
Allegations of Discrimination
Clarke did not go quietly. In a candid Facebook Live broadcast after receiving the letter, she voiced a litany of grievances that she claims defined her time at the LNP.
Clarke cited nearly two years of enduring gender discrimination, operational constraints, and structural communication barriers, among others. Her departure suggests a deep-seated internal friction between the PR wing and the executive leadership, painting a picture of a workplace environment that she described as increasingly untenable for female officers in leadership roles.
A Growing PR Crisis for the LNP
As of Wednesday morning, the Liberia National Police has yet to issue an official response regarding Clarke’s resignation or the specific allegations of discrimination she raised.
The timing of this internal shake-up is particularly difficult for the LNP. The force has recently come under heavy fire from the public for what many describe as “unreasonably high fines” and aggressive punishments for minor infractions, such as driving with an expired license or registration.
Political Fallout
The controversy is beginning to reach the Executive Mansion. Critics are increasingly pointing the finger at President Boakai, accusing him of failing to provide adequate oversight of Police Director Gregory Coleman. Citizens have taken to social media and talk radio to claim that the President “lets him [Coleman] have his own way,” leading to an “inconsiderate style” of policing that targets the average citizen while internal administrative issues fester.
As Clarke vacates her post, the LNP faces the dual challenge of filling a major communicative void and addressing the serious allegations of systemic bias within its ranks.