IGP puts top cops on probation

In a surprise move that has caught the Ghana Police Service off balance, the new Inspector General of Police, Patrick Acheampong has lashed out at senior police officers, saying their performance was unsatisfactory.

Consequently, he has ordered that all senior police officers in the capital, Accra, and the port city of Tema, 25 km east of here, be put on probation until they justify their continued employment.

According to a statement from the Police Public Affairs directorate, Acheampong has given the junior officers three months to justify their inclusion in the service,

They will only be confirmed as senior officers when they excel, Acheampong said.

The IGP directed senior officers in Tema and Accra to concentrate on the core police functions of protecting life and property and must desist from acts that dent the image of the service.

He said officers who fail the test could either be transferred or sacked for more competent officers take over their command positions.

Acheampong deplored the lukewarm attitude of some senior police officers, saying this has adversely affected the conduct of the men and women who work under them.

The IGP directed stringent traffic enforcement, and charged the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit to work hard ease traffic congestion and end the racketeering of motorists who have always complained about exploitation by the cops.

"Those caught in illegal motor checks and extortion of money from motorists will be strictly dealt with according to the tenets of the service," Acheampong said.

Ghana`s police service has been greatly reinforced by the provision of vehicles and equipment. But the public expected high standards from the cops, who have been slow to act and have been criticised for corruption.