'No Bad Blood'

THE top hierarchy of the Ghana Police Service says there is no antagonism and bad blood between the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and his schedule officers at the national headquarters.

Also known as the Headquarters Management and Advisory Board (HEMAB), the police hierarchy said it has taken serious exception to recent media reports suggesting such a development in the service.

A press release issued in Accra on Tuesday, said: "We are dissociating ourselves from these mischievous and malicious publications that have continuously gained prominence in both the print and electronic media".

The release was jointly signed by the IGP, Patrick K. Acheampong and his two deputies, Elizabeth Mills-Robertson and Dr. K.K. Manfo, as well as the five Director-Generals and the Chief Staff Officer.

"HEMAB members are disturbed about these publications because they have the tendency to distract police attention from performing its core functions of protecting life and property and national security in general", the release said. It advised journalists to desist from publishing untrue stories about the police since the publications, tend to create tension and thereby cause harm to the police institution.

"The police hierarchy supports the setting up of an independent committee to investigate the alleged involvement of some officers in bribery and drug deals," it said and reiterated the service's stand "not to cover or shield any police officer found culpable".

It noted that the service officers mentioned in the matter work in a security organisation which has laid down procedures for responding to allegations made against them in the media.

"Media organizations should therefore be wary of allowing their networks to be used as platforms for people with their own mischievous agenda to malign police officers", the release said and gave the assurance that HEMAB members were working as a team and would remain focused and determined to work in the general interest of the service.

In a related development , IGP is expected to meet all regional commanders of the Service at the Police Headquarters this morning after which he will hold a press briefing.