Strategic Communications for the Liberia National Police

Strategic Capacity Group (SCG) implemented a strategic communications project in Liberia (2017-2021) for the Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to increase nationwide public understanding of and confidence in the Liberian National Police (LNP) by strengthening institutional capacity for effective, transparent, and accountable engagement with the public and the media. The project, which was integrated with Liberia’s national security sector reform agenda, worked closely with the LNP Press & Public Affairs Division, Media Relations, and Community Services to improve public perceptions of and trust in the LNP and to enhance the effectiveness of LNP community-oriented policing, including improving collaboration with the police on behalf of those whom the police serve and protect. Project activities included:

• Assessments of the LNP’s strategic communications capacity, public perceptions of the LNP, police and security media coverage, and public media consumption patterns.
• Development of a strategic communications plan, including organizing stakeholder forums with senior LNP officers and civil society leaders to review assessment findings and generate consensus on the plan.
• Regional Consultations with the LNP’s County Commands to consult, obtain input, and build nation-wide support.
• Development of an institutional change management plan to address identified capacity gaps, including policy-level reform of the Press and Public Affairs Division, the creation of a crisis communication protocol, and the development of an annual community services workplan.  
• Organization of a Study Tour for the LNP Press & Public Affairs Division to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department in North Carolina.
• Creation and delivery of four strategic communications curricula for senior officer, mid-level manager, first-line supervisor, and basic officer levels.
• Creation of a results-based management framework to support implementation of the strategy and measure progress.
• Implementation of management reforms, community engagement plans and protocols, including the establishment of citizen hotlines, and community relations seminar series to educate the public on the role of the police.  

With support from the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Strategic Capacity Group (SCG) is building the strategic communications capacity of the LNP to improve engagement with the media and Liberian citizens, enhance the LNP’s positive media messaging and public information dissemination capacity, and improve public perceptions and trust in the LNP. With strategic planning, skills building, and new and improved policies, practices, and platforms, SCG will enable the LNP to institutionalize community policing best practices and meet the objectives of Liberia’s SSR agenda.