IGP cautions against indiscipline in Police Service

Koforidua, (Eastern Region) 25 Feb. '99,

The Police administration would not condone the misuse of firearms by police officers, Mr Peter Nanfuri, Inspector General Police (IGP) has warned He said the administration would not tolerate the use of firearms to terrorise innocent citizens instead of using them to maintain law and order adding that any policeman, who infringes the law and regulations governing the handling of firearms as spelt out in the service rules or those who indulge in acts like drunkenness, writing of anonymous letters would be sanctioned. This was contained in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Joe Mprah, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Technical and General Services, during the passing out ceremony of 70 general police recruits at Koforidua on Monday. The IGP said the reckless and careless use of firearms by policemen in recent times had brought the service "under a barrage of adverse criticism," noting that, any policeman "who infringes these regulations will face the full rigours and sanctions of the law". Mr Nanfuri was critical of "young men and women who enlist into the service with false motives of becoming rich overnight, who often resort to bribery and extortion of money". "These negative tendencies often find expression in the mounting of unauthorised road blocks and barriers, meddling in civil matters such as land cases, chieftaincy disputes and debt collection". The IGP said the service was embarking upon a massive recruitment drive that would enable it attain the objectives set for itself for the year 2001." He urged the government to release the budgetary allocation in time for the service to meet its most pressing resource needs. Efforts were being made to infuse the service with high quality human resource material capable of facing the challenges of the 21st century which could include the acquisition of vehicles and operational equipment to enable personnel perform efficiently and effectively. He called on the public to work in partnership with the Police to prevent crime. General Recruit Charles Obiri-Yeboah grabbed both the best recruit and best academic performance award while Kamal Kwakye and Benjamin Asiedu won the good conduct and best marksman awards, respectively.