IGP urges communities to support police

Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, Inspector General of Police (IGP), has said that for effective policing, there was the need for communities to support the work of the police. He called on politicians, traditional authorities and the district assembly members to collaborate to make policing relevant to the security needs of the people. The IGP, who paid a working visit to the Eastern Region on Friday, interacted with service personnel, paramount chiefs and the Regional Minister and called on all to support the cause of policing, to help them combat crime and make the society peaceful for all. Accompanied by the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh-Kwofie, he called on the Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin and the Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area Daaseebre Dr Oti Boateng. Mr Quaye said all over the world policing was collaboration between the people and their representatives, and urged that the same practice should be replicated in Ghana. Mr Quaye said the era where police officers were seen as enemies of the public must be a thing of the past, adding that, his administration was ready to embrace all stakeholders in making policing practices a standard one. The IGP, addressing servicemen at the regional command told them that there was the need to win public confidence and support, and therefore would not shield any officer who involved himself in an unprofessional activity. He warned personnel against meddling in chieftaincy disputes and taking sides with people who indulged in illegal activities, adding that, the administration would not shield any officer who went contrary to the professional expectation. Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin called on the IGP to help enforce the laws regarding illegal mining and tree felling that had become a canker in the area, and pledged the support of the traditional council in supporting the police. Daasebre Oti Boateng who commended the IGP for combating armed robbery also urged him to tackle the robbery syndicate at the airport. He advised the police to occasionally hold public interactions to demystify their operations, so as to win public confidence for free information flow, since security thrived on information. The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, indicated that the Region was plaque with social vices such as galamsey activities, which were polluting water sources and armed robberies among others that needed the attention of the police. He assured him that the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) was prepared to help the police perform, by ensuring that the district assemblies applied the statutory budget for security agencies. The IGP was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner�s of Police (DCOP), Ofosu Mensah Gyeabour, Director of Research and Planning, John Kudalor, Director of Operations, ACP Dr Akuffo Danpare and DSP Kwasi Ofori.