United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) U.S. Civilian Police Contingent Decorated with UN Peacekeeping Medals

United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)
UNMIL/PIO/PR/231
Press release, 6 December 2005

Monrovia, Liberia - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General [SRSG] in Liberia, Mr. Alan Doss, on 5 December 2005, decorated 19 UNMIL Civilian Police officers from the United States contingent with United Nations peacekeeping medals.

"Developing the skills and capacity of the Liberian National Police [LNP]contributes to the overarching goal of restoring the rule of law and ending long years of crime and impunity in Liberia," Mr. Doss told the officers. He added that, "A restructured LNP, accountable to civilian authority, well led and properly motivated, will be a cornerstone of durable peace in Liberia."

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General said that the restructuring process of the LNP must be completed soon and sounded an appeal for international assistance to enable this vital task to be done without delay. "The new LNP must become a force for good, building on the success that was achieved during the recent elections," he pointed out.

Mr. Doss paid tribute to the Contingent Commanding Officer, Mr. Keith Carr, for his excellent leadership, and to the its members for the high degree of professionalism demonstrated in carrying out their responsibilities.

The medal presentation ceremony was attended by the United States Ambassador to Liberia, Mr. Donald Booth, UNMIL Civilian Police Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Alhassan, and other UNMIL senior civilian and military personnel.

The United States started contributing civilian police to the United Nations in 1994. Since then, they have served in Haiti, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, East Timor, Sierra Leone and now in Liberia. The United States CIVPOL officers began arriving in Liberia in December 2003. There are currently 37 officers serving in various capacities in Monrovia, Tubmanburg, Ganta, Voinjama, Greenville and Harper.