Amid heightened tensions between citizens and law enforcement in Liberia, Representative Uriah Brooks of Margibi County has released a comprehensive legal and moral statement addressing the implications of assaulting police officers. His remarks, grounded in both statutory law and religious teachings, aim to clarify public misconceptions while reinforcing the legitimacy of law enforcement authority in the Republic.
Hon. Brooks’ intervention comes at a time when national discourse has been inflamed by several high-profile confrontations between citizens and officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP), prompting debates about rights, abuse of power, and citizen responsibilities under the law.
Legal Foundation for Police Protection
Citing the Liberian Penal Code, Hon. Brooks emphasized that assaulting or attacking a police officer is a clear criminal offense. Under Title 26, Chapter 14, Section 14.20 of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised, “a person is guilty of assault on a law enforcement officer if he causes bodily injury to a law enforcement officer acting in the lawful performance of his duties.”
This offense is classified as a third-degree felony, which carries potential penalties including imprisonment and/or fines, depending on the nature of the assault and the extent of injury inflicted.
Brooks further noted that the Police and Immigration Duties Manual and the LNP Act reinforce the authority of law enforcement officers. While these documents do not prescribe punishments, they explicitly recognize that obstructing or interfering with an officer in the lawful execution of their duties constitutes a violation of justice — a breach that may also be punishable under other provisions, including Section 12.3: Obstruction of Government Functions Section 12.1: Criminal Contempt of Public Authority
Additionally, the Liberian Constitution, while safeguarding freedom of expression and due process (Articles 15 and 20), does not grant any citizen the right to physically assault officers of the law. These rights, Brooks clarified, are designed to protect against arbitrary power, not to justify violence against law enforcement acting within their mandate.
Accountability and Redress Mechanisms
Hon. Brooks was careful to balance his legal analysis with an acknowledgment that officers themselves are not above the law. If a police officer engages in misconduct — such as excessive force or acting outside their legal scope — citizens have structured avenues through which to seek redress: LNP’s Professional Standards Division, Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), Ministry of Justice, Liberian judiciary (via formal complaints or legal action).
“Justice must be pursued through the systems we’ve built — not through retaliation or street justice,” Brooks stated.
Religious Principles Support Lawful Authority
In an analytical turn, Brooks also invoked Islamic and Christian teachings to support the legal argument. Drawing from Surah An-Nisa (4:59) in the Quran, he reminded Muslims of the command to “obey Allah, obey the Messenger, and those in authority among you.” This reference to Ulu al-Amr — interpreted as lawful government authorities — underscores the Islamic principle of respecting public institutions unless they command sin.
He also referenced the Hadith of Sahih Muslim, in which the Prophet Muhammad equates obedience to lawful rulers with obedience to him and, by extension, to God.
For Christians, Brooks pointed to Romans 13:1–2, which asserts that all authority is ordained by God and rebellion against it is rebellion against divine order. Matthew 5:9, where Jesus blesses peacemakers, was also cited as a call for believers to uphold peace, law, and justice — not to become agents of violence.
A Call for Lawful Conduct and Civil Engagement
Brooks’ statement is both a caution and a call: citizens must exercise their rights within the bounds of the law, while government must ensure accountability and transparency in policing. His emphasis on both the legal framework and religious ethics serves to remind Liberians that a functional society rests on mutual respect, justice, and the rule of law.
As political and social tensions continue to simmer, his intervention provides a sobering reminder: violence against law enforcement is not only criminal — it undermines the very fabric of democratic governance and moral order.
