By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
The International Development Law Organization (IDLO),a U S backed institution has donated a consignment of high quality Samsung tablets to the Liberia National Police to boost the country’s fight against Trafficking in Persons (TIP).
IDLO Country Manager, Chinyelumgo Okoh, applauded the strong and longstanding partnership with the LNP, funded through the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) since 2018, which she said continues to advance investigations, expand public awareness on human trafficking, and improve the quality and accuracy of national trafficking data.
The new devices are expected to enhance digital case reporting and improve the overall management of TIP investigations nationwide.
U S Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Joe Zadrozny commended IDLO’s leadership and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Liberia’s rule of law and justice institutions.
Ambassador Zadronzny highlighted the United Nations Development Programme’s role in establishing the Crime Statistics Information System (CSIS), which will now be upgraded to capture TIP data as part of this latest intervention.
Receiving the donation, Police Inspector General, Gregory O.W. Coleman expressed gratitude to IDLO, the U.S. Government, and UNDP, IG Coleman emphasized that the enhanced digital tools will help modernize police operations and further strengthen Liberia’s national response to human trafficking.
Over the years, Liberia has continued to grapple with the complex and deeply rooted challenge of Trafficking in Persons (TIP). Despite notable support from international partners, including early interventions from USAID and other anti-trafficking initiatives, the country has struggled to significantly curb the crime.
Factors such as limited technological capacity, inadequate data management systems, logistical constraints, and the need for stronger investigative tools have all contributed to persistent gaps in Liberia’s anti-trafficking response.
Human trafficking networks often operate covertly and across borders, making effective detection and timely intervention even more difficult for law enforcement agencies already stretched thin. As a result, many cases remain underreported or unresolved, and survivors frequently face obstacles in accessing justice.
Against this backdrop, the latest intervention from the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), with direct support from the U.S. Embassy represents a major boost to the Liberia National Police (LNP).
By providing high-performance Samsung tablets designed to enhance digital reporting and streamline case management, this initiative targets one of the most critical weaknesses in Liberia’s TIP response: the lack of modern, reliable, and integrated digital tools.
With these new resources, expectations are rising for the LNP to improve the quality of investigations, strengthen coordination among anti-trafficking units, and produce more accurate data to guide national policy and prosecution efforts.
The intervention signals a shift from broad support to more targeted, capacity-driven assistance, placing responsibility on the police to intensify operations, close information gaps, and deliver stronger results in the fight against human trafficking.
