IGP Cautions Police Personnel

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Acheampong has cautioned that the Ghana Police Service will deal drastically with any policeman or woman found to have extorted money from any member of the public.

The IGP gave the warning when he paid his maiden visit to the offices of the Accra Regional Police Command in Accra yesterday.

He said a few shortcomings on the part of a small number of police personnel had become a source of great worry to the Police Administartion, the government and members of the public, since it affected the reputation of the entire service and tarnished its collective image.

He mentioned officers sleeping on duty, officers acting as debt collectors in cases that were purely civil, policemen who acted as or in concert with land guards to protect the property of their friends and relatives as some of the areas of concern.

“My administration will not condone any of the aforementioned illegalities and anyone caught indulging in any act of indiscipline will be firmly dealt with in accordance with the relevant service instructions and Police Service Disciplinary Regulations( LI 993/74'),” he said.

He, therefore, called on the police to expose the bad lots among them and assist their commanders to investigate any allegation by providing information.

Mr Acheampong noted that the administration was aware of the numerous difficulties impeding the work of the police in terms of facilities such as accommodation, transportation, communication, stationery, among others.

He gave the assurance that the government and the Police Council would continue to explore ways of improving the lot of the police, adding that discussions on the new conditions of service had been tabled for consideration and approval by the new Police Council to be instituted.

The IGP commended the personnel of the region for their creativity and resilience which had helped them to achieve successes in the face of many constraints.

The Accra Regional Police Commander, Mr Douglas Akrofi Asiedu, said the region was bedevilled with a lot of problems, most of which had been solved, in the face of scarce resources.

He said the command had maintained law and order in the city, thereby bringing the crime wave to the barest minimum, adding that “the men are on top of the situation”.