The Liberia National Law Enforcement Association (LINLEA) in Liberia was founded in May 1994 to promote professionalism and human rights among law enforcement personnel themselves. LINLEA recognized that law enforcement personnel are primary perpetrators of human rights abuses and violations. LINLEA identified a number of areas that impact human rights and how these might be addressed. For example:
Lack of training: This can be remedied through providing training on leadership, appropriate procedures, human rights and other important areas.
Lack of discipline: The person may be trained but lacks discipline to implement that training—such personal issues can be resolved through strong leadership and consequences to the perpetrator.
Political aspects—regimes in power order suppression or oppression of the people: Resolving this aspect of human rights violations requires networking among law enforcement, professional associations, human rights organizations and civil society as a whole to keep government accountable to laws and the constitution.
Following the war and the coming to power of the new government, the people assigned to run some of the law enforcement posts were not trained or skilled in law enforcement nor did they follow professional law enforcement standards or protocols (e.g., promotions, grievance procedures, human rights). They had received their post as compensation for their participation in the war and their loyalty to a particular leader or party. They did not see their positions in terms of service to the public-at-large or an investment in professionalism. In Liberia, an estimated 60% of the law enforcement personnel have not received basic training. The context of the transitional government made space for such an idea of a law enforcement association to be launched and gain wide support.
Initial steps taken to create LINLEA:
Respected law enforcement officers approached heads of public and private law enforcement departments and agencies to invite their participation in this effort to form a professional law enforcement association.
Set up an organizing committee that was established from those people sent by the heads of the various agencies that were approached. This committee developed the articles of incorporation for the Association and appointed a Board of Directors that acted as the leadership for a period of one year.
Gained support from the Minister of Justice to attend launch and give legitimacy to the Association.
Required members to pay dues in order to belong—making it a personal investment.
Held a convention of members after one year that included the election of officers—President, Secretary, Treasurer, etc.—for a term of three years. Another assembly with election of officers is set to take place in March 2003 with the installation of new officers in May 2003.
Annual social event brings officers together to strengthen the networking process.
LINLEA has grown into a network of more than 500 dues-paying law enforcement personnel. The association developed on-going services to law enforcement personnel that address their needs, such as:
Certificates for participating in training workshops that include such topics as ethics, basic principles of criminal justice, human rights, peace-building, leadership, and community relations. These certificates can sometimes help an officer to get a promotion because education and training is very limited for law enforcement personnel.
Advocacy within the law enforcement structures for implementing protocols for advancement (promotions).
Assistance and some protection when facing professional problems such as dismissals, being wrongfully charged, or arbitrary detention, etc.
Some assistance when facing social problems such as financial distress due to a death in the family.
This tactic could be useful in many countries due to the participation of law enforcement personnel in human rights violations around the world. Law enforcement personnel must be aware that by setting up such an association they may encounter resistance and be seen as a threat. It opens the view that human rights are for everyone, including law enforcement personnel themselves. Setting up an association to benefit law enforcement personnel that meets their own needs for training, advocacy and assistance provides them with a positive investment in upholding professionalism in their field and human rights.
Summary updated 2/14/03
