Police recruits pass out

Accra, May 5, GNA - Sixty Police recruits on Wednesday passed out at the National Police Training School in Accra after going through a six-month intensive training.

The recruits - 44 drivers and 16 bandsmen - were taken through courses including English Language; Report Writing; Professional Police Ethics; Law of Evidence; Criminal Law; Social Psychology; Practical Police Duties; Domestic Violence; Physical Training; Drills; Weapons Training and Taekwondo.

Inducting the recruits into the Police Service, Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Human Resource Development, Mrs Gifty Anin-Botwe told them that as the country approached this year's presidential and parliamentary elections they would be required to fulfil their constitutional obligation of protecting life and property.

"The various political parties will campaign vigorously for the mandate of our people. We as peace officers need to ensure that the various forms of campaigning are done within the laws of our country." She told them that their training would be fruitless if they did not nurture the discipline and professionalism imparted to them during their training.

Mrs Anin-Botwe tasked them to apply positively the tenets and principles of good policing to assure the public that they could continue to rely on them for protection.

She advised the drivers to adopt the culture of maintenance and not to use the Service's vehicles for their personal gains, adding that the Police Administration would not hesitate to punish drivers found misusing vehicles.

Mrs Anin-Botwe entreated them to take active part in the effective methods of reducing motor accidents and to exhibit excellent driving skills to portray the disciplined side of the Service.

She advised them to practice the ethics of their profession in ways that were socially acceptable and legally authorized and to ensure that the Constitution of Ghana guided all their acts and conducts. Mrs Anin-Botwe warned them to refrain from indiscriminate arrest because they would be liable for their actions against any member of the public.

Constable Ernest Acquah was awarded for being the best All Round Recruit.

The award for Best in Physical Training went to Constable Gorni Williams; while Constable Eric Asomaning took the award for Best in Marksmanship. The Drills award went to Constable Eric Abraham while the Commanding Officer's Special Award went to Constable Michael Asuming Obeng.