Military, Police ‘mortal kombat’: Don’t treat issue ‘in-house’ - Security Analyst warns

A Security Analyst with the Jatikay Center for Human Security and Peace Building, Adib Saani has said the recent free-for-all street clashes between the Police and Military is as a result of an existing culture of impunity within the security services and is calling on the Police and Military not to ‘sweep issues under the carpet’ by treating the issue ‘in-house’, thereby protecting their ‘own’.

“There has always been a tendency of both institutions sweeping under the carpet damaging evidence against their Personnel or not applying strong sanctions against rogue Officers when the investigation is conducted “in-house”.” He wrote in a statement copied to MyNewsGh.com.

“The clash is a national security crisis that needs an urgent and robust response before it tumbles out of control.” he added.

In the extensive press correspondence copied to MyNewsGh.com, the security analyst said among other it is ‘distressing’ to have police and military engage in a free-for-all fight with an open exchange of gunfire on the streets of the Northern Regional Capital, Tamale.

Mr Adib took the issue from an earlier incident when he recalled an assault on a Police officer in Bolgatanga.

“Recently, there was similar violence at the Standard Chartered Bank Junction and at the “Agric Traffic lights” in Tamale. On March 4, 2018, a Police Officer with the Bolgatanga Special Weapons and Tactics Unit was allegedly assaulted by some uniformed men believed to be members of the Military.” he wrote.

According to him, these acts are in direct contravention of “the guidelines and strategies agreed on by both the Military and Police High Commands at a meeting held on Tuesday 24th April 2018 at the General Headquarters, Burma Camp.”

Mr Adib said there was the need for the laws of Ghana “to be enforced to the letter as it has been observed that a major reason behind this criminality is due to the seeming culture of impunity festering in the country.”

He called for “an independent and transparent investigation” to be conducted, adding that “Officers found culpable dealt with as stipulated by law.”

This, he believes, “will send a clear signal to all Security Agents that, the law will catch up with anyone who transgresses.”

Read the full release below

We received with consternation, the news of an alleged attack by some Military Personnel on Police Officers performing their daily duties leading to a free-for-all-fight and “indiscriminate firing” from both sides in the streets of Tamale.

This has become a distressing trend as it is not the first time Police and Military Personnel have clashed in the country.

Recently, there was similar violence at the Standard Chartered Bank Junction and at the “Agric Traffic lights” in Tamale. On March 4, 2018, a Police Officer with the Bolgatanga Special Weapons and Tactics Unit was allegedly assaulted by some uniformed men believed to be members of the Military.

These acts of lawlessness contravene the guidelines and strategies agreed on by both the Military and Police High Commands at a meeting held on Tuesday 24th April, 2018 at the General Headquarters, Burma Camp.

These guidelines which include fostering cordiality, effective communication and increased interaction between the two institutions, are meant to address the clashes.

What the guidelines, however, fell short of is the inability of the two institutions to agree in principle to avail their Officers to be prosecuted when they fall foul of the law.

The Military Police is charged with investigating Military Personnel who misconduct themselves and applying the necessary sanctions if possible whilst the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards (PIPS) is charged with doing same for Police Personnel in the country.

But there has always been a tendency of both institutions sweeping under the carpet damaging evidence against their Personnel or not applying strong sanctions against rogue Officers when an investigation is conducted “in-house”. The clash is a national security crisis that needs an urgent and robust response before it tumbles out of control.

First, the laws of the country would have to be enforced to the latter as it has been observed that a major reason behind this criminality is due to the seeming culture of impunity festering in the country.

An independent and transparent investigation should be conducted and Officers found culpable dealt with as stipulated by law. This we believe will send a clear signal to all Security Agents that, the law will catch up with anyone who transgresses.

It goes without saying that, the Police and Military are sister bodies that should at all times be alert, exhibit high level of professionalism and most importantly, stay united to foster peace and security in Ghana.