Ghana Police Service to train Community Police Liaison officers

Accra, Sept. 22, GNA- The Ghana Police Service would commence a pilot programme in October, to train Community Police Liaison officers and post them to all police stations to facilitate the combating of crime.

The programme is meant to bolster a new unit of the service dubbed: The Community Policing Directorate, which requires the police and members of the public to work together to solve the problems of crime, insecurity, disorder and safety concerns. Superintendent David Eklu, an official at the directorate made this known at the weekend, when he led a team of police personnel to address members of the Labone Civil Servants' Quarters Residents Association in Accra.

The association formed three months ago to champion the welfare of members and the community, listed a number of complains, including petty crime, armed robbery and noise pollution as some pressing security concerns.

Supt. Eklu was assisted by Supt. (Mrs) Habiba Twumasi Sarpong and Assistant Superintendent of Police Kwame Tawiah, who took turns to explain the mission statement, vision, values and other characteristics of the community policing concept. Supt. Eklu noted that the concept of policing has changed globally hence the creation of the unit as a radical departure from the traditional policing methods.

He said the unit seeks to instil a new culture of trust and co-operation between the police and the public, adding: "It is meant to move away from reactive policing to proactive policing." Supt. Eklu said the directorate would train police personnel on the concept, principles and application of community policing and sensitise the public on crime prevention and personal safety measures. Supt. Eklu asked members of the community to own the concept and should not wait till crime occurs in their localities before they take action.

He observed that police- public co-operation could curb 80 per cent of crimes that are committed in the communities. "Members of the community must identify potential crime scenes such as abandoned houses, or spots were crimes happen quiet often so that the police can maintain its presence." He said civilians had basic powers to arrest criminals and hand them over to the police.

Supt. Eklu said most crimes committed in society were by people within the ages of 11- 25, stressing: "If we do not control it, it would be a monster we cannot control." He assured the association that the police was ready to man a police post in the area and appealed to members to support the personnel with means of transport, communication facilities and other logistics. Supt. Eklu asked the public to contact the Community Policing Unit at Number 57-7th Avenue Extension, Ridge, Accra or Telephone (021) 930531-3 (during working hours) or e-mail communitypolicingghana@gmail.com.