Liberia, Sept. 18 -- Inspector General Gregory O.W. Coleman has launched a new Liberia National Police recruitment exercise, framing it as central to nearly two decades of post-war security sector reform. The drive echoes past campaigns going back to a 2007 UNMIL-backed push for female recruits, and revives familiar goals: closing the police-to-population gap, replacing an aging workforce, and lifting women's representation toward a 33 percent target from the current 21 percent. Coleman also pledged the process would be merit-based and free of bribery, as the force seeks roughly $12 million to add 1,500 officers ahead of the 2029 elections.

By Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Monrovia- Liberia's police force is open...