Police worried about involvement of personnel in drugs

Kumasi, May 6, GNA- The authorities of the Ghana Police Service have expressed worry about the increasing involvement of police personnel in narcotic drugs and other criminal activities in the country.

Mr Yaw Adu-Gyimah, Commissioner of Police (COP) in-charge of Services, said the leadership of the Police Service was alarmed at the increasing number of young police personnel who had become cocaine pushers. He said, "The involvement of uniformed men in drugs and other nefarious activities were tarnishing the image of the Service". Speaking at the passing out ceremony of 205 new police recruits in Kumasi on Friday, Mr Adu-Gyimah warned that the authorities would not hesitate to dismiss any police officer who would be found to be involved in any criminal activity.

He observed that some policemen left their legitimate duty points to chase illegal chain-sawn lumber operators, while others extort money from the public, especially commercial drivers and warned that such illegal activities would not be tolerated anymore. Mr Adu-Gyimah urged police personnel to desist from one-man operations and advised them to report any information to their superiors for proper investigations.

He asked the new recruits to resist the temptation to be lured into dealing in criminal acts, since they would not be spared when caught. He said they should instead concentrate on their core duties, which were to maintain law and order in society.

Mr Adu Gyimah commended the Ashanti Regional Police Command for being able to arrest the killers of Mr Samuel Ennin, the late regional chairman of GJA and urged them to intensify their investigations to arrest the armed robbers who killed the Lebanese businessman in Kumasi recently.

This, he said, would boost investors' confidence in the police service. The overall best recruit baton of honour went to Michael Osei Marfo. 6 May 07