Don't cover up rape cases - IGP

Tarkwa (W/R) July 08, GNA The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong has said, external interventions should not be allowed to cover up sexual exploitation and abuse cases. He said it is unfortunate that, some cases, such as rape and defilement are being covered up, which contravenes public order and should be discouraged.

Mr Acheampong said, very often, influential persons in society plead on behalf of offenders with the parents of victims of rape and defilement to settle the case out of court.

He said, if an assault case without major injuries or damages are settled out of court, it is acceptable but with rape and defilement, it is criminal for people to hide these offences and settle them. The IGP therefore, appealed to the public not to let a few bad nuts in society get away with sexual exploitation and abuse cases. Mr. Acheampong said this during an interaction with the press at Tarkwa at the weekend as part of his six-day tour of the Western Region. The visit was to afford him the opportunity to assess the infrastructure and other needs of the Service and also to express gratitude to organizations, which have helped in various ways in running the police service in the country.

The visit also created a forum for the police to come out with their problems, probably personal ones, which have not attracted the attention of the police hierarchy.

Mr Acheampong expressed regret about human trafficking and the accompanying maltreatment saying, international community is very serious about this canker of trampling on the rights of the victims. He said, this is an abuse of one's dignity and called on the public to help stem the activities of these traffickers. The IGP said, without the support of the public, the police could not effectively do much to combat crime.

He said, about 65 percent of information come from the people in communities who do not ask for reward but see it as their civic duties to the State, not only in armed robbery but in general crime combating, saying, " this is tremendous assistance the police get from the people". He said Police is for every community and everybody and therefore called on benevolent organizations, individuals, all and sundry to help run the Police service, adding, "the State alone cannot take care of the needs of the police"

Mr. Acheampong commended district assemblies, Non Governmental Organizations, corporate bodies and the general public for their support adding, they did that out of philanthropy of which the Police Service should be very grateful.

He said, from time to time, the Police has to express sincere gratitude to such organizations.

Torching on the relationship between the police and the chiefs, the IGP said it is very wonderful adding that, without the Chiefs' interventions, there would be many disputes between Police and communities, communities and communities, among other things. He said, without the chieftaincy institution, the police would not have gotten to where it is now.

He urged the police to be determined, zealous and incorruptible to continue with their good work but the bad ones would be flushed out adding, "police administration does not protect bad men and women". "Anybody who would engage in any misconduct to police rules or criminal activities under the laws of the state would not be spared", the IGP added. 08 July 06