The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) has disclosed that it has dismissed Officer Isaiah M. Gray and Officer George Cooper following the conclusion of an internal investigation.
The decision follows a comprehensive investigation and the voluntary verbal statements of the accused officers concerning serious allegations of fraud, forgery and falsification of official documents, specifically involving Resident Permit Cards.
The investigation was initiated by the LIS Administration and carried out by a Special Investigative Team under the leadership of the Director of the Professional Standards Division (PSD). Findings from the investigation established sufficient grounds to warrant the dismissal of the two officers.
Additionally, the LIS has announced the suspension of Officer Mark A. Sheriff for a period of two (2) months without pay. This disciplinary action is based on a second reported offense and follows an investigation into his involvement with individuals who criminally misappropriated funds intended for the processing of resident permits.
According to the LIS, these actions were taken in strict accordance with the LIS Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Regulations of 2016, particularly Section 8.1(a), which addresses criminal misconduct, abuse of authority, corruption, bribery, forgery, and falsification of records, and Section 15.0, which outlines applicable disciplinary measures and sanctions.
The Liberia Immigration Service strongly cautioned the public against conducting any business with the aforementioned officers, as doing so will be entirely at their own risk.
LIS said it remains firmly committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability, and that any conduct that undermines public trust or violates the laws and regulations governing the Service will not be tolerated.
The LIS assured the public that it will continue to strengthen its internal control mechanisms and enforce strict compliance with ethical and professional standards. These actions underscore the Service’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the credibility of its operations and ensuring that immigration services are delivered with transparency and fairness.
Meanwhile, the LIS has urged members of the alien community to visit the official Resident Permit Center to process their permits directly or engage the services of a recognized and authorized consultancy firm, in order to avoid falling into the hands of unscrupulous individuals.
