Alumni in Focus

Michael Wleh Jipply

Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency

We would like to put the spotlight on an alumnus from Liberia who attended the FLETC Leadership for Law Enforcement Supervisors course in March 2019. His success story was nominated for ILEA Day 2022 awards last year. Enjoy the read as you learn about how he made a difference and stay tuned for ILEA Day 2023 awards coming up on April 24, 2023 in Washington D.C.

I attended the Leadership for Law Enforcement Supervisors Course at the RTC in March 2019. Following my participation in that course, I have been able to demonstrate my abilities by leading by example.I have been able to lead in the awareness and sensitization of our officers in their respective areas of control. As head of the Public Affairs Department at the Liberian Drug Enforcement Agency, I, along with the officers in those areas, led awareness campaigns in almost all of our sectors across the country. Prior to this effort, our fight against drug abuse was mainly on enforcement operations only. Today, commanders have adopted the idea of awareness and sensitization, and several programs have been instituted to support drug abuse awareness across the country.

Prior to my participation in the RTC course, I was already serving as the Chief of Communication & Public Affairs, which is a senior manager position in my office. By then, I held the rank of a Special Agent which is equivalent to an inspector in the police force. Following my participation in the RTC course, my performance and contribution to my institution earned me the rank of Special Agent Grade 1 on February 23, 2020, which is equivalent to the assistant commissioner of police.

During my regular visitation rounds to some of our satellite offices across the country, I visited Gbapolu County and observed some operational lapses and inefficiencies from the team. By demonstrating proficiency and leading by example, on July 22, 2021, with a search and seizure warrant, I led an operation that resulted in the arrest of 3 male suspects with a substance that was believed to be illicit narcotics. When tested and weighed, it was found to be 15.5 grams of cocaine, 22.7 grams of heroin, and 12 kilograms of marijuana, all valued at LRD $398,550.00 (USD $2,657.00). The suspects were investigated and charged under section 17.104/5 of our Penal Law for unlawful possession of narcotic substances and were subsequently sent to court for prosecution.

I still enjoy the confidence of my bosses and the fact that they continue to value my services in so many capacities. By modeling the way, I have proposed the need to consolidate and synchronize information dissemination through the rightful channels of command before being released to the public, in order to to avoid communication crisis or misinformation with regards to the job. Today, our external communication to the public is done by my office. Prior to recommending this policy initiative, there was a total lack of order regarding officers response to matters of the public. I have also recommended the appointment of several officers with whom I have shared the concepts of encouraging the heart and inspiring a shared vision.