By Augustine Ehikioya
The current Inspector General of Police, Liberia National Police (LNP), Gregory O. W. Coleman, has given his all professionally to emerge as the number one Police Officer in Liberia.
Beyond his country, he has increasingly played great roles in the West Africa sub-region.
For the outstanding work he has been doing in his country over the years and the West Africa region, Gregory Coleman has been nominated for one of Africa’s top security awards at the forthcoming 19th African Security Watch Conference & Awards scheduled for Rabat, Morocco in May this year.
At the event, he will receive the award category as the “Best Police Administrator in West Africa in the year 2025”
What has made Coleman very grounded in his career over the years have been the fact that he is results-driven security management and public policy specialist.
Besides being known for his effective leadership, strategic innovation, and commitment to advancing public safety, the Liberian Inspector General of Police has embarked on good governance, and community development in Liberia and beyond his country.
Apart from his visionary leadership, he is blessed with a diverse background in security enforcement, risk management, and international governance.
Coleman is playing a pivotal role in advancing both public and private sector initiatives in Liberia.
Before his career elevation to the position of Inspector General of Police in Liberia, Coleman was the Founder and Executive Director, Sustainable Initiatives International (SII).
Coleman’s movement to senior management cadre began with his appointment as Commissioner for Operations of the Liberia National Police (LNP).
In that position, he was faced with the challenges of the Ebola crisis, which his innovative policies and procedures helped him to significantly mitigate the epidemic’s impact on the Liberia National Police.
His approach and effective crisis management and success led to his subsequent appointment as Inspector General of Police in 2016.
As IGP in his country, Coleman has distinguished himself as a leader committed to professionalism, integrity, and community engagement, earning the respect and admiration of both national and international stakeholders.
Also as Inspector General of Police and Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCO), Coleman’s tenure was marked by unprecedented stability in police-community relations.
His leadership has also fostered a culture of professionalism within the Liberia National Police, and boosting the confidence of both Liberian political leadership and international partners.
Under his guidance, the LNP has also expanded its support base and became a cornerstone of public safety and security in Liberia.
In 2018, Coleman transitioned from hard security to soft security, serving as the Director-General of the National Bureau of Concessions.
In this role, he provided critical technical assistance to ministries, agencies, and commissions responsible for granting concessions, thus enhancing transparency and accountability in Liberia’s investment landscape.
Driven by his commitment to community empowerment and sustainable development, Coleman also founded Sustainable Initiatives International (SII), a nonprofit organisation dedicated to addressing community concerns related to natural resource governance, food security, transparency, and access to justice.
Through smart and secure initiatives such as advocacy, economic empowerment, gender mainstreaming, and preventative diplomacy, SIl has collaborated with communities, investors, companies, and government agencies to build collaborations and create safe and sustainable environments conducive to achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
Because of his outstanding qualities and contributions, President Joseph N. Boakai appointed Coleman to serve again as the Inspector General of Police, reaffirming his status as a trusted leader in law enforcement and public safety in Liberia.
His educational background and training included attending the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), where he earned a postgraduate diploma in Public Administration in 2013.
In 2015 to 2016, he further advanced his education by earning a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Management from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in the United States.
Also 2016, he obtained a certificate in Executive Leadership Training from the University of Louisville.
Coleman’s dedication to continuous learning and professional development emphasises his commitment to excellence and his ability to lead with vision and integrity.
With his wealth of experience, training, educational background and rising profile, there is more in Coleman’s sleeves to sustain his rising among the Top African Police Chiefs the continent will continue to be proud of for a long time to come.
