WHO POLICES THE POLICE: AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTABILITY BODY URGENTLY NEEDED TO CHECK POLICE BRUTALITIES
The recent video making the rounds on TV and social media showing extreme police excesses in executing their mandate of law enforcement goes to buttress the call the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Africa Office has been making for the urgent need for Government to set up an independent public compliant/police oversight body. As much as the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Bureau functions as a complaint unit and has been investigating police misconduct over the years, recent acts of brutality by police officials clearly indicate that Ghana needs more than the Police investigating itself to ensure accountability and respect for rights by the Service.
On Friday May 31, 2013, officers of the Accra Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service were reported to have attacked land guards and artisans when called to the scene of a confrontation over a piece of land in Cantonment. Video footage of the incident clearly depicts that the force used by the Police exceeded the reasonable force required to have diffused the confrontation.
Although CHRI believes the IGP ordering PIPS to investigate is in the right direction, it is just not enough way to curb the acts of impunity being perpetuated by some police officers. In April 2013, CHRI issued a press statement on the killing of three unarmed suspected robbers by the Police. Following this, PIPS assured that investigations were being conducted into the incident. Regrettably, while the public awaits the result of that investigation, we now call on a new investigation into yet another incident of police misuse of force.
This latest incident of brutality therefore shows the urgent need for an independent commission to deal with police misconduct. Given the nature of Police work and powers, the prospect of the police using their power to oppress and exploit citizens is very high. Thus, without adequate accountability, constitutional guarantees of rights and liberties may be mere formal declarations observed more in breach.
The absence of a Public Complaints Authority as recommended by the Archer Commission to deal with police misconduct and brutalities has allowed the police to act with impunity. The question then is, how can the police be a player and a referee at the same time in these issues?
CHRI is therefore renewing the call it has been making over the years for the establishment of an Independent Police Complaint Authority to ensure that the Ghana Police Service, in working hard to enhance public safety, will be held accountable for any violations of human rights while doing so. Only then will the public's safety and trust be ensured.
Mina Mensah
Regional Coordinator
The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Africa Office
Tel: 024 270 4558