Date of Conferral

4-2-2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Marcel Kitissou

Abstract

African countries are grappling with policies and laws to mitigate widespread police corruption. However, for decades, corruption within the police force has drawn intense criticism from citizens. Prior research has indicated that state officials are likely to benefit from police corruption, including bribery, thereby undermining Liberia's economic and social stability and prosperity. The issue that prompted this research is that despite extensive police reforms in Liberia’s national police, corruption cases remain prevalent, raising national security concerns. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to investigate Liberians' perceptions of the impact of police corruption on national security in Liberia through the lens of the rent-seeking theory. The research question guiding this study focused on the perceptions of Liberian citizens residing in a suburban city in a northern state of the United States, regarding the impact of police corruption on Liberia's national security. Data collected from interviews of 12 participants were analyzed through the inductive thematic approach based on Braun and Clark’s framework. Five key themes were identified: (a) police reform and training, (b) salary increase, (c) international assistance, (d) equipment and logistics, and (e) bribery and resource constraints. This study is significant because it potentially contributes to positive social change by enhancing public trust, improving law enforcement effectiveness, fostering integrity within law enforcement agencies, and ultimately strengthening national security in Liberia. Policy makers can use these findings to develop strategies to combat corruption within the Liberian National Police. Lawmakers may introduce legislation to reduce police corruption, helping the Liberian national security recover from it.

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