Police/Military Meet in Accra

Mr Joseph Boakye-Appiah, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, on Friday charged police and military personnel to shed the "ACDR" attitudes within the ranks and file and respect the rights of civilians since the country is now in a constitutional era.

"Police and military personnel should be seen by the public as partners in the crusade against crime."

Mr Boakye-Appiah was speaking at a durbar of security personnel up to the rank of Police Inspector and Warrant Officers within the Armed Forces in Accra.

The quarterly meeting of the police and the military was aimed at fostering cooperation between the two institutions in their quest to combat crime.

The meeting, which was the last for the year, was on the theme "Combating Serious Crimes in the Last Quarter of 2002".

Mr. Boakye-Appiah noted that indiscipline had been the major setback for law enforcement agencies to operate effectively.

He cautioned that security institutions should endeavour to conduct exams and promotions fairly to boost the morale of personnel for them to give of their best.

The Forces Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer James Cole, urged personnel to rededicate themselves as defenders of the nation.

He noted that even though attacks on security personnel might have reduced, appropriate measures must be taken to maintain the image.

He urged the personnel to ensure that in the performance of their

duties they do not trample on the rights of other people.

Police Inspector Jordan Quaye called for the two institutions to be circumspect in their dismissals of officers who fall foul of the service regulations.

"We cannot run away from the fact that certain dangerous criminals, wanted by the police have collaborated or engaged the services of certain skilled and professional police personnel and soldiers we have dismissed, probably for committing misdemeanours while in active service."

He called for ex servicemen to join in the crusade against crime by helping their communities to identify criminal elements.