President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf over the weekend presented a Christmas bonus of US$50,000.00 to officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP), but cautioned that the money is not intended for the directors and senior officers of the LNP.

President Sirleaf said the gift is intended for officers who are usually under the rain and sun daily providing protection for the Liberian people.

The President made the presentation when she attended a general assembly of the LNP in Monrovia.

“The money should be used for the men and women that are seen in the day and night, and not for the top brass of the force; this little token is for you who are in the sun and rain providing security to your people to buy your cold water and soft drink,” the Liberian leader said.

I applaud the President for such a gesture, particularly at this time of the year (Christmas Season), to identify with our gallant men and women of the Liberia National Police. I am of the conviction that the President's gesture in acknowledgement of the kind of protection and services that the police have rendered the nation in the face of inadequate resources. I admired the sensitivity of the President in this direction which suggests that she cares, not only for the police, but the entire security apparatus.

Presenting the money to authorities of the LNP, the President cautioned top brass of the LNP to ensure that the money is disbursed to men and women of the police.

The task now is for Director Chris Massaquoi and his Deputies to decide how the money will be disbursed to the targeted officers.

Though skimpy it may seem, but I believe that when properly distributed, the money will put food on the table of men and women in the blue uniform. Since the President gave the money, there have been doubts in some quarters regarding the sincerity of the distribution of this money. The reason why people create doubts is when the legacy of honesty is eroded, and also, when people in top positions are only seeking for themselves and not their subordinate officers. However, unless it is proven otherwise, I'll remain doubtful whether the President's season bonus will reach the targeted officers.

Selfishness seems to have undermined the value of caring and sharing we had in the past. Today, some individuals in top positions don't know how to conjugate verb 'to eat'; they only want 'to eat' and care less about others. In Liberia, when you are asked to conjugate the verb 'to eat', it means, you should share with others; not being selfish.

With this Christmas bonus, senior officers appear confused how the money will be disbursed amongst officers of the LNP. Some top officers have suggested that the money be added to salaries while others are proposing that the money be used for year-end party.

Whatever way it is distributed, the concern of the President, I believe, is that the money should not land in the pockets of top LNP officials, instead, the gallant men and women who spend hours in the sun and rain to protect lives and properties.

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