Politicians dictating the pace of police service - ACP Very Rev. Fr Arthur

The Very Rev. Fr. ACP George Arthur, has posited that, politicians are dictating the pace of the Police Service whereas, officers are deviating from their motto-‘’Service with Integrity to Service without Integrity.’’

Delivering the sermon at the induction service of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. David Asante-Apeatu, at the Police Church in Accra, he said, recruitment into the service ‘’is a mystery to citizens.Protocol plays a major role…’’ He lamented over indiscipline in the service and challenged the IGP to do his best and win the trust of Ghanaians.

According to him, a sizable number of police trainees were dismissed from the training schools with a simple reason that, they did not meet the required certification.

‘’At the very early days of your administration, a sizable number of police trainees were dismissed from the training schools with a simple that, they do meet the required qualification. What should Ghanaians expect under your tenure of office as IGP,’’ he quizzed further.

The IGP he indicated is coming at a time when lawlessness, vigilantism, student riots and galamsey has taken over the country.

“You have come at a time when the galamsey and Delta Force occupy the front pages of almost all print media of the country and topics for discussion.

Your 'IGPship' has come at a time when police stations are being vandalised and officers being brutalised by members of the public.

Your 'IGPship' has come at a time when Politicians continuously tarnish the reputation n dignity of others for no reason your 'IGPship' has come at a time when some tribal and ethnic conflicts has erupted in some parts of the country, your 'IGPship' has come at a time when some university students are staging riots; at a time when university students and school children are alleged to have committed suicide.” He advised him not to please anyone since he will fail.

He also admonished to work hard so he can leave an indelible mark on the walls of the police service.

“You will live an indelible mark if you pay attention to the following: the maintenance of peace in our nation, the welfare and discipline of Police Officers, enlistment of Police trainees, stream lining the policy of promotion of men and women of the Service” “As the IGP, you are accountable first and foremost to God, secondly to this nation and thirdly to officers of the Ghana Police Service.

This calls for firmness and fairness. You will fail if you came to please any human being instead of pleasing God who chose you and appointed you”. “Objective and fair decisions are always a worry to the crooked mind. Leadership begins with us first and I urge you to be firm about your goals and flexible about your methods.”