Dedication of the New Command Center ERU
Dedication of the New Command Center for the Emergency Response Unit of the Liberia National Police
Madame President,
Minister Tah,
Madame SRSG,
Director Amblard and
Members of the LNP Emergency Response Unit,
Esteemed Guests. . .
I am honored and proud to be here today as we dedicate the newly constructed Command Center for the Liberia National Police Emergency Response Unit. This is a day I know we all have been waiting for. I am honored because you have worked hard to achieve this day and I am proud of the USG contribution to achieving this goal.
I see this building not only as a place for the ERU to operate from
but also a testament to the ongoing partnership between the U.S. Government, the Government of Liberia, and the UN in the development
of the Liberia National Police and its Emergency Response Unit.
With the completion of this building, the fifth ERU class, and the communications set up for the ERU, we mark the completion of the U.S. Congress’s initial commitment in 2007 to develop this highly skilled unit
through a $5 million authorization earmarked for the creation of the ERU.
Since that time, the U.S. Government has committed $2 million more to advance the development of the ERU and by extension the LNP.
We have spent close to $1.0 million dollars of those funds to build this Command Center.
But our commitment to police development for Liberia does not end with the completion of this headquarters. As Secretary Clinton said in her speech at the LNP Academy in August, U.S. Government support for the Liberia the National Police will not just continue, but will increase in the months to come.
I would like to take a moment to recognize the team of UNPOL trainers and advisors who work closely with the ERU both at the academy and on the street. Thank you for your help and guidance. I would also like to speak to the leaders in the ERU to remind you that with great power and capacity comes great responsibility. The ERU is a unit designed not just to fight crime, but to fight crime professionally and responsibly, with great respect for the rights and dignity of the Liberian people.
Remember where you came from and remember you are LNP before you are ERU. Respect your chain of command and respect your people; not just the officers who work for you but more so the citizens who you work for. Ultimately, it is the Liberian people that you serve and who will determine if you are successful or not.
You have an opportunity, an opportunity to make Liberia and its people proud, and to show your loyalty and respect for a country and a people who have who have suffered plenty. And like your authority, use this building with respect but don’t abuse it.
Its appearance and cleanliness will reflect you and how much you respect yourselves. I look forward to seeing what you can do with the place.
Thank you.