Strategic Communications Capacity Building in Liberia

Building trust in public institutions remains a challenge in Liberia. Internal security organizations like the Liberian National Police (LNP) are working to learn new skills and effectively respond to threats without instilling fear within communities. The LNP needs the tools and skills to better communicate with the public about their mission and the constraints they face in meeting that mission. Building the LNP capacity for positive messaging and information dissemination is essential to fostering trust within the communities they serve.

With support from the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Strategic Capacity Group (SCG) is building the strategic communications capacity of the LNP to improve engagement with the media and Liberian citizens, enhance the LNP’s positive media messaging and public information dissemination capacity, and improve public perceptions and trust in the LNP. With strategic planning, skills building, and new and improved policies, practices, and platforms, SCG will enable the LNP to institutionalize community policing best practices and meet the objectives of Liberia’s SSR agenda.

SCG is a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the ability of the United States and its partners to build strategic security sector capacity both at home and abroad.

SCG’s Institution Building Program enhances the strategic capacity of security services, ministries of defense, interior, and public security, and operational and combatant commands to improve the sustainability and impact of modernization and reform programs. This is accomplished by:

• Providing guidance to address policy and implementation gaps;
• Assessing institution-building needs;
• Designing and implementing capacity building support to meet identified needs; and
• Advising on best practices to institutionalize enhanced processes and procedures to meet the recipient institution’s mission and goals.