Police to hit back at mob attack

Police personnel would not relent to retaliate in a mob attack in their line of duty, Western Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Kofi Boakye has warned.

He said any community or group of persons that would attack Police personnel would not go scot-free and warned that people must be arrested to serve as deterrent to others.

DCOP Boakye cited a recent incident at Ajuah in the Ahanta West District when an angry mob attacked a Police vehicle and damaged its windscreen.

He said there had been incidents in the past whereby angry mobs had attacked police stations and destroyed their property, adding “this time around the Police will hit back by arresting the whole members of the community for prosecution”.

DCOP Kofi Boakye gave the warning during stakeholders’ meeting at Agona-Nkwanta in the Ahanta West District to discuss the upsurge of serial killings that had caused fear and anxiety among residents in the area.

He said the Regional Police Command would meet the chief and elders of Adjuah to decide on how to repair the damaged windscreen and cautioned residents never to dare again to attack personnel or police property.

DCOP Boakye said police officers were not enemies of people in society but rather social partners in combating crime and entreated all well-meaning Ghanaians to support them (personnel) in their work.

He said people should be courageous to report suspected criminals in their communities instead of lynching them.

Meting out instant justice to such people, he said, would deprive the Police of vital information that might delay investigation.

He said it was better to set 100 criminals free instead of killing an innocent person.

This, he added, explained why people needed to smoke out evil perpetrators, who live within their rank, to ensure quick dispensation of justice.

DCOP Boakye pledged to upgrade Agona-Nkwanta Police Station into a district status and appealed to the Assembly and traditional authorities to provide accommodation for personnel who would be posted to the area.

He said the district capital, which had developed into a commercial centre, deserved more police personnel to enhance security and promote peace and harmony.