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The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr John Kudalor Tuesday morning visited scenes of mob attacks at the Bakaano police in Cape Coast and assured that the Police Administration would not shield anybody found culpable in the Cape Coast police-civilian clashes.

He said he was committed to build a more cordial relationship between the police and civilians and would ensure that all investigations were transparent.

He said whilst ensuring that the police were professional in their dealings with the civilian populace, it was only proper that the public understood the work of the police and cooperate for enhanced security in the communities.

Mr Kudalor who was speaking in a meeting with the Omanhen of Oguaa, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II and the Central Regional Minister, Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah said he was disturbed by the violence in Cape Coast and said the visit was to express condolences to the affected persons.

The IGP's visit to Cape Coast was in response to recent attacks on the Bakaano police

Mr Kudalor said “now we do not know the cause of death but we will ensure that there is transparency in the investigations and ensure that investigations are brought to its logical end to bring peace.”

He said protecting the people from criminals was part of the job of the police saying the swoop that led to the violence was part of a nationwide operation to ensure that all Ghanaians had a peaceful Christmas.

He described as “unfortunate” the death of the suspect saying "We would have preferred that nothing like that happened but we would ensure that nothing like that would happen in future operations."

He promised more professional operations from the police to prevent such incidents.

The Attacks
Irate mob had attacked the Bakaano police twice in the past week, injuring a police man and vandalizing about ten vehicles.

The attack on the police was in reaction to a swoop on Thursday which left a suspect dead.

Police explained that the deceased, Papa Mensah, 50 fell sick in the cells after the arrest and was taken to the hospital but was pronounced dead.

But the Anaafo community where the deceased lived said the police had beaten the deceased and caused his death and attacked the police in retaliation.

Police sources said the angry mob attacked the police with sticks and stones and locally made pistols on Sunday morning firing indiscriminately. They also attempted to burn the station down.

Police responded with warning shots.

The community had earlier attacked the station on Thursday.

A second death
In a meeting with traditional authorities, opinion leaders and the police on Monday on the incident, it came to light that another person, a young boy had also died in the melee that followed last Sunday’s attack on the police.

Welcoming the IGP, the Central Regional Minister, Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah said it was still not confirmed how the boy died.

He said it was reported that the boy was part of the mob and was suspected to have been hit by a stray bullet.

Mr Quansah called on the IGP to ensure that nobody was shielded if found culpable.

He said education was ongoing in the communities on the need to cooperate with the police, saying so far it has been very successful.

Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II
The Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional area Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II also described the incident as “nasty and bad”, saying it was unusual of Cape Coasters.

He appealed to the IGP to do all he needed to do to ensure that such incidents did not happen again.

He said the traditional council was also educating the communities to cooperate with the police for peace to prevail.