THE GHANA POLICE Service under the leadership of Mr. David Asante-Apeatu, the Inspector General of Police , has expressed their determination to ensure zero tolerance for impunity.
The Police Chief revealed this at the National Police Commanders Conference in Kumasi, on the theme; Transforming Ghana Police into a world Class Police-The role of Regional Commanders.
According to him, the vision of the Police administration, is to be a world-Police Service capable of delivering Planned, Democratic, Protective and Peaceful service up to standards of International best practice.
He said the Ghana Police Service exists to deliver services in Crime Prevention, Detection, Apprehension and Prosecution of offenders consistent with the expectation of Ghana Stakeholders for Maximum Protection, Safe, Secure and Peaceful Communities.
He said respecting these principles will win for them confidence of the general public which is a precursor for optimum police performance.
He entreated the officers to nip in the bud some pockets of impunity and lawlessness in the country by enforcement of the law without fear or favour, especially involving those who claim to be members of the governing party and sometimes take delight in taking the law into their own hands and think that they can hold everybody in the country to ransom.
He charged the personnel not to hesitate to deal with law breakers. Saying the laws of the country do not wear political colours, neither has crime any political affiliation, and for that matter, must be firm, impartial and above all professional in the discharge of their duties.
Mr. Ambrose Dery, Minister for the interior, as special guest of honour, revealed that, the government is committed to getting the Ghanaian out of the fear syndrome into a mind-set of peace, Security and personal safety.
He stated that, a peaceful, conflict free and safe macro-environment is a prerequisite to a successful and sustainable development agenda. Says there is no gain in stating that Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 16 on peace and justice at all levels confirms the link between peace, security and sustainable development.
According to him, it is important to note that even though the available statistics suggest that Ghana Police Service and other security agencies have made Ghana a safer place, as fewer cases of murder and robbery in the first six months of 2017 as compared to preceding years.
He observed that, the fact still remains that Ghanaians do not feel safe. He is however convinced that the transformation agenda of the Ghana Police Service which includes increased Police-civilian interaction will ultimately bridge the gap between perception and reality.
He was grateful to the police service for their eagerness to change the status quo.
He disclosed that, with the commitment on the part of the police service and the requisite government support, per government’s own strategic objectives to reform the police, change shall certainly prevail.
He entreated the personnel to work hard to change the negative perception of corruption that seems to hang on the Police Service.
