The leadership of the service has never denied the existence of those challenges among its rank and file. As a matter of fact, the immediate past Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, on assumption of office, embarked on what he termed an “image-cleansing” exercise to redeem the image of the service.
It is, therefore, heartwarming to know that between 2010 and June this year, 108 police officers were dismissed, with 132 others demoted and 239 sanctioned.
Currently, 433 officers are facing service enquiry for their involvement in negative activities.
It is reassuring that Mr Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, the IGP, is sustaining the “image-cleansing” exercise when he stated that the police would not shield their own against the interest of the state.
This is continuity in progress.
The Daily Graphic is happy about this and we believe it is the path that all public institutions should take.
We are particularly happy with developments in the Ghana Police Service, because Mr Alhassan has not deviated in any way from ensuring that the bad lots are weeded out from the system.
For instance, Mr Quaye introduced the tent city project as part of the project of drawing the police closer to the communities. Mr Alhassan has expanded the project with the introduction of the Police Formed Unit to increase police visibility in our cities and towns.
Not only that; rush-hour patrols have also been introduced to make commuters feel much safer on their way to and from work.
We acknowledge the human and logistical constraints facing the Ghana Police Service and believe that it takes its ingenuity and leadership abilities to introduce and operate such a system that assures the populace that they are safe.
Some leaders may be knocked off their feet by the criticisms that engulf their institutions but the leadership of the police service has taken all such criticisms in good faith and begun implementing policies and programmes to redeem the image of the service.
The IGP put it succinctly when he said the police had embarked on a paradigm shift to be more proactive, instead of reactionary.
This is the way to go, Mr IGP.
However, we believe he has a long way to go in curbing the perennial canker of corruption, acts of intimidation and misconduct exhibited by some of the men in black in the discharge of their duties.
From the streets, on the highways and operational activities, there are numerous complaints from members of the public against police personnel who, instead of coming to their aid, rather abuse them. We are sure that some of the cases currently being investigated will include acts of corruption, assault, unlawful detention, among other such deviant behaviour.
The Police Administration has shown the way to also undertake inter-departmental and unit transfers to ensure that no officer stays in one unit or department forever.
We recall an incident during one of the recruitment exercises in which a prospective applicant sought to know the queue for the Motor Traffic and Transport Department, as that was the department of the police he wanted to join.
Surely, Mr IGP, the task is arduous and we believe you will not have it easy. However, with your eye and those of your team on the ball, the service will succeed.
The Daily Graphic will continue to partner the police in ensuring that they achieve their target of providing a safe environment for law-abiding citizens to go about their legitimate duties.
Daily Graphic/Ghana
