The Inspector General of police, Mr James Opong Boanuh has advised police officers in the country to be more circumspect, professional and impartial in the discharge of their duties on December 7th presidential and parliamentary elections.
‘We have to follow laid down procedures to police the ballot and protect lives and properties ‘ the IGP said.
He was speaking at the commissioning and inauguration of 200 seating auditorium Regional Conference Hall and police Band in Tamale.
The conference hall, the IGP explained started in 2016 through the contributions of police officers stationed at regional headquarters.
He described the initiative as unusual in the police service and urged other regions to emulate northern exemplary good will.
The IGP was on a 3-days working visit to Savannah and Northern regions inspected operational capabilities of personnel in the two regions ahead of December 7th general elections.
He told officers and sister security service that the police is poise to ensure peaceful elections, reminding that they as police officers can only show their party color at booths .
The police chief charged personnel act on every complaint expeditiously to clear the doubts of all critics.
He pledged on behalf of the police service to meet the obligations and demands bestowed on them to ensure that Ghana is safe before,during and after December elections.
Low CRIME RATE
According to the IGP, northern region recorded low crime rate compare to other regions in the last few months.
The IGP attributed the low crime rate to good police-public relations, enhanced Operation Calm Life and stringent day/night patrols and increased snap checks.
Mr Oppong-Boanuh said even though there has been some antagonizing between the personnel and residents, there is still cordial relationship. He lauded the regional command use of intelligent based operations, including swoops and sting operations.
The IGP appealed to the people in the region support the police by providing credible information that will lead to the arrest criminals.
Attacks on Police
The IGP however, without mentioning any particular incident in the region warned that his administration will not tolerate any attacks on officers on duty.
‘He continued; A disturbing phenomenon in recent times and is not palatable is the attack on the police. This advice goes to the youth, any grievances against th police, go to the elders, let elders invite the command and discuss, if the officer does wrong the necessary disciplinary procedures will be taken.
‘We will not accept any situation where youth in any community who feel aggrieved of the actions of an officer and beat them up. That’s not acceptable, we will use all available means to get the perpetrators punished.
‘Let no one attempt to take the law or put the law into his hands’ he stressed.
Mr Oppong-Boanuh warned that law will deal with any person or group persons trying disturb the peace in the country is enjoying.
The Paramount chief of Gulkpegu traditional area Alhaji Alhassan Abdulai assured the IGP of the chief’s support to ensuring peace in his area.
The Gulkpegu Na told the IGP that chiefs in the region don’t support youth attacking police in the region.
