‘Stay Neutral’

Police personnel in the country have been advised to shun partisan politics and strive to remain neutral to win the confidence of the public, especially as the December polls draw near.

The Commissioner of Police (COP) Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, Director General, Human Resource, Ghana Police Service, who gave the warning, observed that the neutrality of the police was crucial in making the impending national elections a huge success.

He therefore entreated police personnel to remain professional in the discharge of their duties before, during and after the general elections to sustain peace in Ghana.

Alhaji Mahama was speaking during the passing out ceremony of 232 recruits at the police depot at Patase in Kumasi last Friday.

The parade, which was attended by senior police officers and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Kwaku Agyeman Mensah, saw the officially passing out of 232 recruits after six months of intensive training.

Alhaji Mahama sternly warned police personnel that harbour intentions of using the noble profession to easily acquire wealth, stressing that the police service frowns on all illegal activities.

The police capo also warned the men in black uniforms to do away with uncouth or unethical behavior in order to keep their jobs and remain in the service, adding 'the police administration is desirous of weeding out the bad nuts in the service.'

He said the police service was vigorously adopting measures to salvage its image, urging police personnel to play roles to help the service achieve its set objectives.

In line with this ambitious move, COP Mahama admonished them to be disciplined, professional, avoid the torture of suspects and show affection to the public.

The police today, he said, believes in quality rather than quantity 'and in pursuance of this qualitative agenda, the police administration has embarked on a massive-in-service training for all ranks and file in the service to upgrade their skills.'

The Police chief expressed worry about the upsurge in robbery and other illegal activities in the country, noting that his outfit would soon address the menace.

Alhaji Mahama said the police, as part of efforts to reduce crime, recently introduced massive operations across the country to smoke out miscreants.

The 232 recruits were taken through topics such as human rights, criminal law, criminal procedure, criminal investigation, law of evidence, practical police duties and service instructions during the six-month training at the police training school.

They were extensively trained in weapons handling, parade, physical education and riot control.

Opoku Boakye Elvis, who was adjudged the overall best recruit, was honoured alongside other recruits that displayed special qualities during the training.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi