Police to embark on "Operation Father Christmas"

Accra, Dec. 15, GNA - The Ghana Police Service is to undertake series of operations nation-wide before, during and after the Christmas festivities to ensure that law abiding citizens enjoy the celebrations.

Addressing journalists in Accra on Tuesday, Director General of Police Operations, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DSP) John Kudalor, said as part of the exercise code named "Operation Father Christmas", Police personnel would be mobilized from the regions to augment mobile and foot patrols within Accra and Tema Metropolitan Area.

He said tent city operations would be enhanced with additional support from the National Police Headquarters and each tent city allocated a vehicle to enable the police response quickly to distress calls.

"Residents in these areas are expected to give maximum cooperation to police personnel manning tent cities within their neighbourhood, "DSP Kudalor said. He said all Regional Police Commanders had been directed to ensure the creation of permanent barriers and snap check points during the day and night and urged Police personnel detailed for such duties to exhibit utmost professionalism.

DCOP Kudalor said all patrol teams especially those on foot would engage in random stops, cordon and search of suspected citizens as well as vehicles and criminals identified would be prosecuted.

He said regional and district highway patrols would be intensified to check reckless driving as well as to thwart highway robberies and asked travelers to cooperate with the Police, adding" the Police would be professional in order not to frustrate passengers".

DCOP Kudalor said a large number of Police personnel would be involved in patrol duties, the central business areas would be saturated with police personnel and vulnerable areas would have buck-up by personnel. He said the on-going operation "Calm Life" being undertaken jointly by the Military and Police would continue to operate vis-a-vis the security arrangement being put in place for the yuletide.

DCOP Kudalor said: "The reward system is still in place and anyone who has information on anyone who plans to commit crime should not hesitate to inform the Police". He said in order to reduce the spate of accidents and casualties on the road, there would be sustained checks on drunk driving and sale of alcoholic beverages at lorry stations throughout the country. 15 Dec. 09