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The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Patrick Timbilla has cautioned police officers against any unprofessional conduct and unethical behaviour in the wave of the police administration�s desire to weed out bad nuts in the service. According to him, the service believes in quality, not quantity, therefore any officer without the virtue of discipline, professionalism, punctuality to duty, hard work, commitment, respect for human rights and abstinence of corruption and abuse of power would be cracked down. �By championing these virtues we stand to serve the public better and are sure to win their confidence, trust, respect and support� DCOP Timbilla stated at the 5th Ashanti Regional Commander�s parade in Obuasi. According to him, the Commander�s parade considered a standard practice of the service was reintroduced recently by the police administration under Paul Tawiah Quaye, inspector General of Police (IGP) after it became absent from the police calendar. He reminded Ghanaians that policing in the 21st century is no more the preserve of the security agencies but a collective responsibility where the police in partnership with communities, identify their security needs and map out strategies to address them. To this end, frantic efforts are being made by the police administration to improve upon the professional capacity and resource base of the service with the view to enhance service delivery to the public, he disclosed. �The media and the general public are therefore expected to open up and complement police efforts in a healthy partnership to combat crime in the country.� He called on the various communities in the region to look for responsible young men and women to constitute themselves into Neighbourhood Watch Committees to the support police. Obuasi Divisional Police Commander, Supt. Emmanuel Amissha on his part indicated a decline in activities of illegal miners, which hitherto threatened operations of AngloGold Ashanti (AGA), attributing it to education and dialogue. �There is peaceful coexistence now. AGA has been quite supportive to police and it is our prayer that this cordial relationship continues to grow from strength to strength,� he stated. On crime, he said rates had dropped by 240 cases, representing 7.4% within the division, which comprises Obuasi, Fomena and New Edubiase. Between January and November this year, crime statistics stand at 2,838 cases as against 3,078 recorded during the same period last year, he pointed out. Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive, John Alexander Ackon applauded the cooperation of the local police with the municipal assembly, whilst thanking Mr. Timbilla for this visit to city. According to him, efforts are underway to construct SSNIT houses in Obuasi as part of the assembly�s housing project adding consideration would be given to the police if they negotiate for acquisition.