Northern Region Police Require Logistics

LOGISTICAL AND manpower constraints continue to hinder the operations of the police in the Northern region, making it extremely impossible for them to achieve the desired results.

Irrespective of these challenges, the Northern regional police command indicates that it is poised to protect lives and properties in the region and has no excuse to underperform.

A visit to the Regional Police Headquarters revealed a number of grounded police vehicles that further inhibited the smooth discharge of duties of the police who are already unable to meet the 1-500 police-civilian ratio as prescribed by the United Nations (UN).

Most of the vehicles said to be used for patrol duties across the region were weak and rickety.

It is in the light of this that the Northern Regional Police Commander, ACP George Tuffuor, is appealing for more robust vehicles to augment the existing ones to facilitate the discharge of police operations in the region and beyond.

He observed that while the number of personnel in the region was woefully inadequate, some logistics, especially transportation, was also a major cause for worry.

He cited instances where an entire district was manned by only three personnel, indicating that such instances were worrying. He was however grateful that men on peace keeping duties were relied on to at least support the number.

According to him,   the few personnel available, though effective, had been overstretched to the extent that personnel sent to the region for other operations were compelled to perform patrol duties, which should not have been the case.

The Police Chief told DAILY GUIDE his administration was particularly worried about the spate of armed robbery in the region despite the numerous mechanisms put in place to check the canker.

ACP Tuffuor however disclosed that new measures were in place to nip the canker in the bud, and urged drivers in the region to allow the police patrol teams at vantage points at night to escort them to ensure the safety of travellers.

The commander said the escort of vehicles travelling from Tamale to Bolgatanga was still being enforced and urged commercial drivers to comply to avoid being robbed.

He criticized residents for being reluctant to volunteer vital information to the police which could lead to the arrest of miscreants who terrorized residents and travellers in the region.

He explained that the security and safety of the populace was a shared responsibility between the police and civil society, and therefore urged them to help flush out criminals lurking in the neighbourhoods.

He appealed to officers under his supervision to be disciplined and exhibit professionalism in the discharge of their duties as their actions were being observed by the public and their superiors.

From Stephen Zoure, Tamale