The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno has doubled the Police Academy intake for Cadet Officer Course 54 to a record 700 officers, marking the largest admission in the institution’s history.

The Police Academy has traditionally admitted between 300 and 400 cadets per intake, but the latest expansion significantly raises the number for the current batch.

Course 51 admitted 308 officers, Course 52 admitted 344, and Course 53 admitted 432, while Course 54 has now been expanded to 700 cadets, reflecting a major shift in recruitment and training capacity within the service.

To accommodate the increase, both residential and non-residential training models will be used. This arrangement is intended to ensure that all qualified officers, particularly Chief Inspectors who have remained in the same ranks for years, are given the opportunity to progress. Police sources indicate that this approach is not new, as similar models were used under previous leaderships when accommodation challenges arose.

According to reports, about 7,500 Chief Inspectors were allowed to sit for the Police Academy entrance examination, with 1,063 officers successfully qualifying after meeting the required scores and additional selection processes. Additional officers identified for promotion and those distinguished in operational duties have also been included for consideration under Courses 54, 55, and 56.

To support the expanded intake, the Police Administration has secured additional accommodation facilities in Accra and allowed some officers residing within certain police enclaves to participate as non-residential cadets while still fully engaging in training. Transportation and logistical arrangements have also been put in place to ensure smooth movement and participation throughout the programme.

The administration has further expanded academy support staff, including kitchen and welfare personnel, to handle the increased population. Fully furnished lecture halls and training facilities have been prepared to maintain effective instruction, discipline, and high training standards during the six-to-nine-month programme.

The police leadership has assured that despite the unprecedented expansion, standards will not be compromised and the reforms are aimed at improving efficiency and creating greater opportunities for career progression within the Ghana Police Service.