It was one of those nights, I was lucky enough to ask to document the Indian FFPU (Formed Female Police Unit) engage in their regular duties, patrolling the streets of Monrovia, ensuring security and order in the Liberia’s capital since its arrival over a year ago.

Strengthened by The 125 female police personnel, the first police women battalion deployed to peacekeeping in United Nations’ peacekeeping operations history here in Liberia. It has been a success story, and the involvement of women to the process is one essential element to support lasting peace in war-town country like Liberia.

Armed robbery is on the increase in Monrovia and the people is yet not convinced that our the national police force can tackle this type of crime, said Emmanuel, one community member in the crime-prone suburb of Congo Town in Monrovia where some groups of young men have formed vigilant patrols.

The UN and Liberian police officials in Monrovia confirmed that crime has been steadily increasing in recent months with 47 reported cases of violent assault and theft from March to April.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which has been overseeing security in the war-ravaged country, started a programme in 2004 to train 3,500 police by June 2007 and police officials told in the news that that number has since increased to 6,000.

Community leaders said they are particularly concerned once UNMIL downsizes its 15,000-strong force which is planned to start in September 2008. Most people would imagine how the crime rate especially armed robbery would be worse.

To support the national authorities, the Liberia’s National Police (LNP) have assigned a select number of their police officers to conduct night time patrols embedded with UN peacekeepers, like the one engaged by the Indian contingent of FFPU. This approach is aimed by the time UNMIL pulls out the police will be capable of handling violent crime.

As go alongside with them on night foot patrol, I spoke with few patrol leader of the FFPU, and learned that several occasions that the patrols were able to tackle-down some on-going crime activities from robberies to murder cases. Apart from the proven tactical experience, the patrol unit is armed with assault rifle, protective body-gears, and smoke/tear-gas canister and wooden cane. Personally, looking at the FFPU personnel, equipped with the said gears, it is definitely a visual deterrence, indeed.

The night patrols are implemented every night from 10PM all the way to 4AM, 7 days a week whereby 5 patrolling units consist of 4-5 FFPU personnel accompanied with its national counterpart of 2 officers from LNP, stroll through the neighborhood of Monrovia safeguarding the nights of the people.

The night was bright as the moon shines, making the sky looks clear for us to walk easily without a help of torch-light. Zigzag steps alongside the main road of Tubman Boulevard into the inner avenues, many street pot-holes filled with rainwater are reflecting the lunar shines. Some people still seen hang-out on the streets going about their business were paying special attention as the patrol passes.

They really appreciate our patrols.. and often greeted us as we pass through their neighborhood.., said Laksmi – one of the Patrol leader of the Indian FFPU.

The Indian FFPU member deployed to Liberia under the mandate of UNMIL, are the best, well-experienced personnel, and they’ve been field tested back home in India, especially in measures taken to tackle down insurgencies and riots in some troubled spots in India.

Other than foot patrols, the Indian Contingent of FFPU also conducts vehicle patrols to major areas in Mornovia as well as guards the president’s office which currently taking office at Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs building.

I admire their dedication and their contribution to the peace process in Liberia are significant, understanding that they’ve gone far beyond, trading the home comfort, deployed to battle front supporting Liberia’s peace process.