Police Service concerned about negative public image

Accra, June 16, GNA - The Ghana Police Service on Monday expressed concern about the negative public image created in the media about their activities and urged the media to also highlight positive activities they undertook.

Mr. Kwaku Ayesu Opare-Addo, Greater Accra Regional Police Commander in a joint press conference with the Tema Regional Office attributed the increase in social vices to the rural-urban migration of most youth into the city of Accra which had in turn put a lot of pressure, stress and difficulties on the police in Accra. "The men are sometimes stressed and there is the need for the public to bear with us and understand our work instead of highlighting the activities of the few bad nuts in the police services," he said and gave the assurance that the Police Administration would continue to discipline its personnel found misbehaving.

"So far about one hundred men have been dismissed for misconduct while some of them have had their ranks reduced for misconduct," he said and again urged the public to report any abuse by a police officer to the District Officer in-charge or the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards (PIPS) at the Ghana Police Headquarters. "All police men who mis-conducted themselves and were brought to the regional commands attention are being dealt with by way of service enquiry and others have been before the law courts."

DCOP Opare-Addo said the regional administration had done a lot of good work to protect the public, however they had been challenged with the cases of armed robbery nationwide, especially in the city which was however under control.

He explained that to counteract the robberies, the police had organized a joint military police patrol code named: "Operation Calm Life" for both day and night to curb the menace. "Fortunately with the increase in logistic support, these crimes and related disturbances expect a few have been brought under control," he said.

Mr Opare-Addo mentioned greed, unemployment, adventurism as some causes of armed robbery and said it was the primary concern of the police to stem the tide of armed robbery in the Accra and Tema regions. Giving statistics, he said there was a total of 44 robbery cases in March this year , 48 in April and 30 in May out of which they arrested 19 and two killed by the police in a shoot-out.

He mentioned murder, instant justice and lynching, chieftaincy and land disputes as other issues bothering the Police Service Mr Opare-Addo said as part of measures to control crime in the city, there would be temporary and permanent snap check points on vulnerable roads to prevent attacks on travellers.

Highlighting the challenges confronting the service, he said they had inadequate vehicles in addition to the bad roads, poor lighting system and street names which made their work a bit difficult sometimes and urged the public to help by donating vehicles even second hand ones to the service for use He also urged the public to make their homes available for renting by the police since they had accommodation problems.

Mr Opare-Addo further said the proliferation of banks and other financial institutions had also taken a toll on the Service and said even some banks were without armed guards presently.

On their preparation for the 2008 general elections, Mr Opare-Addo said political parties had been advised to eschew violence, indecent language, hatred, enmity and acrimony during the campaign and during and after the December 2008 polls.

"The Police Service is going to be fair and firm without regards to incumbency," he said and added that, policing was not solely the preserve of the Ghana Police Service it was the preserve of everybody. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ransford Ninson who is also the Deputy Regional Commander for Tema region emphasized the need for the media to help reduce the negative media hype and also highlight the good side of the Police Service. 16 June 08