Police urged to observe rule of law

Accra, Jan. 28, GNA- Mrs Elizabeth Mills-Robertson, Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Administration, on Friday called on the Police to adhere to democratic principles in the discharge of their duties.

She said: "The public need a Police that would be alive to its responsibilities and whose actions are guided by principles of democratic policing".

Speaking at the opening of a Special Cadet Officers Course 38B, in Accra, Mrs Mills-Robertson noted that public interest and trust in the Police had waned in recent times due to the unprofessional manner some members of the Service had conducted themselves.

The three-month training course is being attended by 51 Police Officers drawn from the various Regions, Divisions, Districts, Stations and Units.

It is aimed at introducing the personnel to new methods of policing as a means of injecting high sense of professionalism into the Service.

Mrs Mills-Robertson said the Police had come under severe criticism on a range of issues like corruption, inefficiency and public brutalities.

She said the Police Administration did not regard such criticisms as mere dislike from the public since in her estimation they had cause to complain.

"When the Police is perceived to be using unlawful means to enforce law and order and no longer meet the expectations of the public, they become alienated and withdraw their respect, support and cooperation."

The Deputy IGP noted that the situation had been further worsened by the sophistication in contemporary crime as a result of technological advancement.

Mrs Mills-Robertson said it was against this background that the Police had designed special training programmes that would equip the personnel with the requisite modern policing strategies to ensure that the public was adequately protected.

She expressed the hope that the course would prepare the personnel to attend to their duties with firmness, respect for the public and to strive for excellence without compromising their integrity.