MCC’s Investigative Panel Recommends Punitive Actions Against City Police Chief for Misconduct

Monrovia – The investigative panel set up by the Mayor of Monrovia, Jefferson Koijee has recommended that punitive actions be taken against the Director of the Monrovia City Police, Col. Thomas G. Garwo for inappropriate actions.

On April 9, 2022, renowned Liberian lawyer, Atty. Lafayette Gould filed a complaint against Col. Garwo for allegedly insulting him and infringing on the rights of peaceful citizens by blocking the main entrance to a private garage; leaving several commuters stranded and causing embarrassment for the owner of the garage.

Predicated upon the complaint, the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) ordered the indefinite suspension of the MCC’s police chief and sanctioned an investigation.

In its findings, the investigative Panel, headed by the Chief of Professional Standards at the MCC, Prince W. Weah, held Col. Garwo liable on several counts of professional misconduct.

The report, released on May 12, 2022 detailed that after obtaining some information and analysis from the scene, it was established that Garwo’s actions were intentional, specifically to inconvenience the owner of the garage for negatively attending to his car. The report was released by the Director General for Internal operations at the MCC, King P. Andrews.

The investigation established that in addition to infringing on the rights of peaceful citizens, he also disrespected Atty. Gould, who had called him to ascertain information into the fracas.

“The investigation established Atty. Gould couldn’t have filed his complaint to the city government had Col. Garwo answered his calls at the time,” Mr. Andrews said during the release of the report.

Andrew further disclosed that the findings from the investigation team uncovered that the vehicle used by Col. Garwo was his personal vehicle and not the MCC’s assigned vehicle on April 13, 2022.

On the heel of the complaint, he said Col. Garwo regretted his actions and promised to avoid repeat of such disorderly conduct which has cast bad image on his status in society and the integrity of the Monrovia City Government. 

 According to him, Col. Garwo has extended an apology to the complainant, Atty. Gould for the embarrassment he caused during the incident.

However, despite the apology, the panel has recommended the Office of the Mayor to take appropriate administrative actions against Col. Garwo for act of misconduct against Atty. Gould and other citizens.

This, according to the panel, will serve as a deterrence to protect the integrity of the city government of Monrovia.