Driver trainee kills policeman in his sleep

Tragedy hit the Police Striking Force in the early hours of Tuesday when a 24-year old constable was killed by a 19-year old driver trainee while asleep at the compound of the unit's headquarters.

Constable Richard Osei Asibey Bonsu died instantly when the girl, Felicia Ababio, who was learning how to drive, run over him.

Most of the Police personnel and their dependants often sleep at the compound. Investigations revealed that the girl, alias Kooyo, who was being taught how to drive by her boyfriend, Kofi Ahen when the accident occurred, would be charged with manslaughter.

They have been detained at the head office of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit. Meanwhile, most of the officers of the unit have protested over the lack of accommodation for the personnel of the unit. ''The accident could have been prevented if the authorities have had our welfare at heart," some said.

Douglas Akrofi Asiedu, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Commander, said that some form of accommodation has been provided for the personnel. "We do sympathise with the unfortunate loss but sleeping outside the long room provided for personnel is very dangerous to the personnel because they are exposed to all manner of people including lunatics and criminals."

He said, "the long room may not be comfortable but this should be expected in a developing country where basic infrastructure are not in place".

Asiedu, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said the neglect of the Police Service has been so long that the government could not solve the problems at once.

Richmond Osei Asibey, father of the deceased, said he held the government wholly responsible for the death of his son. "The state has murdered my son. How can you allow my son, serving in an elite unit of the Police Service, die in his sleep for lack of accommodation."

He said the tragedy exposes the contempt the state has for the Police Service, which it has neglected over the years. ''This goes to show that the condition of service is a factor for the abysmal performance of the Police."

Colleagues of the deceased, who wanted to remain anonymous, expressed dissatisfaction with their service conditions and said it contributed to the death of their friend.

"How do you expect over 50 people to sleep in this small canteen converted into a long room."

They quoted from the Police Service Act 350/70, section 6 which states: "an officer below the rank of an Assistant Superintendent of Police is to be housed free of charge in barracks.

''Where the barracks is too small, quarters are to be rented and when unavailable rent allowance be provided."