With the support of UNMIL, a four-day training workshop on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) interviewing techniques was organized in late February in Harper for Liberia National Police Officers in southeastern Liberia.

The training at the LNP Regional Training Centre was facilitated by UNPOL. In attendance were LNP Officers from River Gee, Grand Kru and Maryland Counties, including more than 10 Officers of the LNP Women and Children Protection Section (WACPS).

Chief Facilitator Lindsay Gould told UNMIL Today that the training was part of the Government’s efforts to jointly equip security officers with skills in handling SGBV across the country.

Participants trained in the investigation of SGBV crimes through building skills, focusing on the establishment of strategic and operational plans with the aim of gathering reliable information for the successful prosecution of SGBV cases.

Gould said the aim of this training was to increase the Officers’ skills and ability to conduct interviews on SGBV.
UNPOL Gender/WACPS Advisor Olena Klymenko said the training was a part of the Prevention and Protection Pillar of the Government of Liberia-UN Joint Programme.

Since the inception of the Programme, a total of 72 LNP Officers have been trained in Montserrado County. The training includes an introduction to the PEACE Model for the collection of reliable information, discussion of problems regarding SGBV investigation and witness psychology, legal requirements, confidentiality, filling out the statement form, challenges in statement taking, and interviewing child victims, witnesses and suspects.

According to the LNP WACPS Working Plan, the PEACE Model Interview Technics training will be conducted for WACPS Officers in five regions, including Zwedru, Voinjama, Ganta, Kakata, and Buchanan.

The training was conducted for WACPS LNP Officers with the support of UNPOL, SIDA and UNDP.