FLASHBACK: 90% policemen are alcoholics - ASP Edwin Atampiah

On September 13, 2011, the Western Regional Medical Officer of the Ghana Police Service, ASP Edwin Atampiah is reported to have said about (90%) ninety percent of personnel in the Ghana Police Service were suffering from alcohol-related diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular and heart diseases among others.

The development he added affected the operations of the service.

The report published by the Chronicle newspaper cited ASP Atampiah as publicly revealing this when DCOP John Kudalor paid a familiarization tour in the region.

Fast forward to June 27, 2018, a viral video showed a heavily drunk Police officer hoisting a rifle in a commercial vehicle

The drunk officer who could not sit still and was continuously bragging about his drinking habits put passengers on board the vehicle at risk as he struggled to control himself and the rifle.

The Director of Public Affairs, Ghana Police Service, ACP David Elku is reported to have said all commanders across the country were assisting to identify the officer.

On January 18th, 2019, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Foster Nanewortor, a clinical psychologist with the police service, at a sensitization workshop is reported to have said that some Police Officers resorted to the use of alcohol when they were stressed.

This was also reported by the Ghanaian Times in its January 18, 2019 edition.



Read the ASP Edwin Atampiah's full story culled on Ghanaweb below:

It may sound bizarre, but that is the reality. Ninety percent of Ghana Police Service personnel are suffering from alcoholic related diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular and heart diseases among others.

The sordid development has reportedly affected the moral and operations of the Service.

The Western Regional Medical Officer of the Ghana Police Service (GPS), ASP Edwin Atampiah, disclosed this when the Police Director of Operations, DCOP John Kudalor, paid a familiarization visit to the region recently.

The Police Medical Officer noted that hands of those suffering from some of these diseases shake rapidly anytime they hold a gun.

According to him, as a result of this discovery, the police administration had now made it a policy to conduct medical checks before personnel are allowed to go on peace-keeping duties outside the country.

Kudalor said the police had constituted a board to deal with the problem and that any police officer caught indulging in alcoholism would be interdicted.

The Regional Commander DCOP Ninson warned police officers who are on retirement to vacate their bungalows to give room for others to occupy.

He however pointed out that the only ‘enemy’ confronting the Police Service was carnage on the roads and armed robbery.