Police unhappy about reportage on shooting incident

Koforidua, March 6, GNA - The Eastern Regional Police Command has described as unacceptable media reportage on a shooting incident involving a Police constable at Bunso. In a statement released to the GNA, it condemned the secret recording of a conversation between the commander and a Joy FM reporter on the payment of hospital bills of the victim. The Command also expressed concern about an editorial in the Daily Guide Newspaper that suggested that the Police was not caring for the victim, who was inadvertently shot by a policeman while in custody. Last month one George Larbi, a farmer, who was in police custody was shot in the thigh by a police officer on duty and was operated upon at the Koforidua Central Hospital. The statement said a reporter went to the regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner (DCOP) of Police Felix Asare-Darko, to enquire if the police administration would pay the medical bills incurred by the victim.

It said the Commander told the reporter that the police would pay all bills relating to the treatment of the victim, provided they were presented by the hospital administration. The statement said the Command was surprised to read news reports that the police had refused to pay the bills. The statement therefore reminded the media of their role of ensuring peace in Ghana and appealed to reporters to cross-check their facts on sensitive issues before going to press.