By 
Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia National Police (LNP) has charged a 67-year-old classroom teacher and church mother, Klady A. Paul, after a heated confrontation with a traffic officer at the busy 12th Street intersection in Sinkor spiraled into a public altercation on Tuesday morning, August 12.
According to eyewitnesses, the clash began shortly after 9 a.m. when Patrolman Koilous N. Larmin was directing heavy morning traffic at the intersection. Paul, who was driving through the area, allegedly became impatient during a traffic stop and exchanged sharp words with the officer. The verbal exchange quickly intensified, drawing the attention of pedestrians and nearby motorists.
Several bystanders reported hearing Paul use profane and inflammatory language toward the officer before stepping out of her vehicle. The situation escalated when she allegedly pushed Officer Larmin, struck his face, and grabbed his government-issued police radio, which was damaged in the process. The altercation caused a temporary halt in traffic flow and prompted backup officers to rush to the scene.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner of Police Cecelia G. Clarke condemned the incident, describing Paul’s conduct as “reckless, disrespectful, and in direct violation of the laws of the Republic of Liberia.” Clarke confirmed that the officer sustained visible facial injuries during the scuffle.
The LNP says video footage of the confrontation is now part of the evidence, and Paul has been formally charged with simple assault (Chapter 14, Section 14.21[A]), criminal mischief (Chapter 15, Section 15.5), and disorderly conduct (Chapter 17, Section 17.3) under the Penal Law of Liberia. She has been forwarded to court for prosecution.
“These charges reflect the gravity of her actions and the impact on public order and police work,” Clarke stated. “The Liberia National Police will not tolerate any act that undermines the authority of the force.”
Clarke further stressed that while the LNP is committed to holding officers accountable for misconduct, it equally has a duty to safeguard them from verbal or physical abuse.
The incident has since sparked public debate on civility and respect for law enforcement officers. The LNP is urging all citizens to maintain decorum when engaging with public officials, warning that disruptive behavior at traffic checkpoints or during official duties will be met with the full weight of the law.
