Boozing cops hot

The Police Administration has pledged to sanction two police officers seen in photos drinking alcoholic beverages, which have gone viral on social media.

According to the police, the conduct of the two officers flouts the code of conduct of the service.

Section 82 of CI 76, which is the Police Service Regulations of 2012, classifies drinking alcohol on duty as an offence.

The Regulations in CI 76 categorise the offences into minor and major offences.

Minor offences attract deferment of salary increment, stoppage of increment and reprimanding personnel; for major offences, personnel may be dismissed, removed and reduced in rank.

Director of Police Public Affairs, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Reverend Nenyi Ampah-Bennin disclosed this to The Finder in response to what action the administration would take against such officers.

He announced that the Police Administration has mounted a search to identify the two police officers and sanction them accordingly.

Weeks ago, a photo of a policeman in police uniform busily drinking at a place that looks like a ‘chop bar’ went viral on social media.

The officer, with insignia which has three chevrons on his sleeves, indicating the rank of Sergeant, was sitting by a table that has a bottle of Joy Daddy Bitters and a bottle of Guinness, both alcoholic drinks.

Also on the table were three bowls, with one containing soup.

His left hand was holding a glass filled to the brim with a liquid like the colour of Guinness.

The second photo shows a policewoman in uniform with the insignia of one chevron, signifying Lance Corporal, who was busily drinking from a blue cup.

On the table in front of her is a bottle of Joy Daddy Bitters, an alcoholic drink, and a can of energy drink.

DCOP Ampah-Bennin explained that junior officers on leave are expected to return their uniforms to the service, and when on retirement their uniforms are returned as well.

He said smoking on duty and entering a place licensed for the sale of liquor when on duty, except when one’s presence is required there in the execution of duty, were categorised as minor offences.

He explained that the Police Service Regulation states that it is an offence to drink alcoholic beverage while on duty.