NSS traffic wardens have no automatic entry into police – Arthur

The Police Administration has said it will not give preferential treatment to National Service personnel who served with the police service as traffic wardens, as the law enforcement body prepares to recruit personnel.

The Police Administration says it is giving equal opportunity to all interested persons hence its decision to open the sale of its application vouchers to the public.

The deployment of National Service Personnel to direct road traffic in support of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit of the Ghana Police Service started during the year 2013-2014.

The personnel who work alongside the police are given special training to enable them perform their duties efficiently. The initiative which forms part of the National Service Scheme’s long term strategic greatly reduces traffic congestion in major cities of the country.

These persons service to the state has got many thinking that they’ll have automatic entry into the police service.

However, the Director of Public Affairs of the Police Service Superintendent Cephas Arthur insists that their collaboration with the police is no guarantee of their entry into the service.

“We are giving equal opportunity to everyone, that is why even though we’ll not take too many personnel into service, we allowed anyone interested to buy the forms. It’s a struggle; whoever has a strong foot forward eventually gets access. In as much as they helped us work for a year, none will be given priority treatment; they are competing evenly with others.

“The only advantage any of them interested in being a police officer will have is when there’s a police exams to be written and because they have worked with the service they may have a better understanding and knowledge of police work. That is the edge they may have over the others.”

When asked if this will not discourage future National Service personnel from doing their service with the police, Superintendent said that should not dampen the spirit of any patriotic Ghanaian youth.

“National Service started with people having to teach after completing their tertiary education. Do we say because because they taught during their service they become teachers automatically at the end of their service? This is a service to the country and it also serves as a stepping stone. For all you know, many of these personnel may prefer going into other professions like banking, teaching and farming. So it may not be the case that those who served with the police during their National Service wanted to be police officer in the future hence their willingness to serve with the police.”