"A firearm is a tool of last resort. Respect it accordingly."
LNP Coordination and Support Roles
Instructor Sele: SafeHaven guards are not police officers — but armed guards frequently operate alongside the Liberia National Police. Understanding the distinction between your role and theirs keeps everyone safe and legally protected.
Section 1 — The Relationship Between SafeHaven and the LNP
SafeHaven Strategies is a licensed private security company. The LNP is the national law enforcement authority. These are distinct and complementary roles. SafeHaven armed guards protect clients and their assets; LNP officers enforce the law for the public. Guards hold civilian legal authority; officers hold state legal authority.
Guards may use force to protect life; officers may use force to enforce law and arrest. Guards have no power of arrest (except citizen's arrest); officers have full powers of arrest and detention. Guards report to SafeHaven Command; officers report to LNP Command.
Section 2 — Joint Operations
When SafeHaven guards operate alongside the LNP (e.g., at high-value sites, VIP events, or during major incidents), the LNP has overall command of law enforcement activity. SafeHaven guards: continue to protect their specific client and post; do not conduct arrests or detentions on behalf of the LNP; do not take orders from LNP officers that conflict with their post orders or SafeHaven ROE; report any LNP instruction that conflicts with their duties to SafeHaven Command immediately.
Section 3 — Evidence Preservation
If a crime occurs at your post, your primary role is to preserve the scene until the LNP arrive. This means: do not touch, move, or disturb any evidence; prevent unauthorised persons from accessing the scene; record witness details and your own observations; photograph the scene if authorised by your supervisor.
You are not an investigator. Your job is to protect the evidence so the LNP can do theirs.
Section 4 — Reporting Armed Incidents to LNP
Any time a SafeHaven guard discharges their firearm in the course of duty, the LNP must be notified immediately. This is a legal requirement in Liberia. SafeHaven's Operations Commander will coordinate the LNP notification, but every guard at the scene must also be prepared to give a full statement.
- •SafeHaven guards and LNP officers have distinct and complementary roles — know yours
- •In joint operations, the LNP has overall law enforcement command
- •SafeHaven guards do not conduct arrests or act as law enforcement agents
- •Evidence preservation — not investigation — is the guard's role at a crime scene
- •Any firearm discharge must be reported to the LNP immediately — this is a legal obligation
"I was on a joint post during an election security operation. An LNP officer told one of my guards to detain a suspected agitator. My guard looked at me. I shook my head. We are not LNP. We are not authorised to detain on their behalf. We hold our post, we protect our client. The LNP handles the law. That boundary protects all of us — including the public."
SafeHaven armed guards who support LNP operations: