Police outline security measures for December 28 Election

Accra, Nov. 17, GNA - The Police Administration on Wednesday outline= d security measures for the December 28 District Level Elections, the Christmas and New Year festivities to protect life and property. Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, Inspector General of Police (IGP), mentioned s= ome of the measures as deployment of more personnel on patrol duties, re-doubling operational activities and working around the clock to mainta= in a peaceful environment and protect the vulnerable during the period and beyond.

"We have in the past dealt creditably with similar situations during=

election years and have often proved our mettle. I have no doubt that we can do it again and this time with even better results", the IGP stated at th= e commissioning of an office complex for Kotobabi District Headquarters. The IGP on behalf of the Police Administration assured the public of=

its commitment to achieve and maintain the highest possible standards of efficiency and good conduct in the execution of its duties. The GH¢60,000.00 fully furnished and air-conditioned office comple= x for the District Motor Traffic and Transport Unit of the Police Service was constructed by Tobinco Pharmaceutical Company under its corporate social responsibility initiative.

The edifice comprises of a reception, three rooms, one File/Archives=

Room; two washrooms and a balcony for the District MTTU. Mr Quaye, who was delighted by the gesture, said it portrayed the determination of some institutions and individuals to support the Police Service to protect life and property. "This is very encouraging and re-assuring and we shall use it to enhance our performance. It is our resolve to consistently strive as an organization to attain and maintain a world class standard policing servi= ce. "We have excelled on the international arena on peacekeeping mission= s and this makes us confident that with the support of the citizenry, and t= he provision of the requisite resources, this feat can easily be replicated here at home." Mr Samuel Amo Tobbin, Executive Chairman of Tobinco Pharmaceutical Company, said the plight of the District MTTU, which used to be housed in= a container, moved the management of Tobinco to construct the office comple= x. He noted that community policing or neighbourhood policing was a policing strategy and philosophy based on the notion that community interaction and support can help control crime and reduce fear, with community members helping to support the Service with modern crime combat= ing equipment.

"We at Tobinco believe that community policing should promote organizational strategies that support the systematic use of partnerships=

and problem-solving techniques, which proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder and fear of crime," he noted. Mr Tobbin said recent developmental trends and challenges call for collaborative partnerships between the law enforcement agency and the individuals and organizations they served to develop solutions to problem= s and increase trust in police. Tobinco Pharmaceutical Company therefore called for the alignment of=

the law enforcement agency's organizational management practices, structu= re, personnel, and information systems to support community partnerships for proactive problem solving.

Mr Tobbin also called on the Police administration to adopt effectiv= e community policing, transform their organizational culture, leadership an= d management structure, labour relations, strategic planning processes, training and information gathering systems. He said with regard to the health needs of Ghanaians, the management= of Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Limited had made donations to the Cardio Centre i= n Korle-Bu, Tema General Hospital, Korle-Bu Doctors' Restroom, Aburi Girls Senior High School, among others. Assistant Commissioner of Police Timothy Y. Bonga, Nima Divisional Police Commander, said the gesture by Tobinco Pharmaceutical would challe= nge police officers to improve upon their performance to meet public expectation. 17 Nov. 10