Religion part of police training - IGP

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, has stated that religion forms an integral part of the training of police personnel as it molds the character of trainees to carry out the mandate bestowed on them by the country’s constitution.

It is the hope of the police administration that sound training, coupled with morals in the church, would ensure that police involvement in criminal and sinful acts would become a thing of the past, according to him.

The IGP, in a speech read on his behalf by DCOP, Rev. David Nenyi Ampah-Benin, Director General of Public Affairs, at a foundation laying ceremony at the Ashanti Regional Police Training School in Kumasi, said “It is in this vein that the police administration deems it expedient to associate itself with the building of a befitting place of worship for recruits whilst on training,” he said.

Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, Chairman of the Peace Council, who officiated the ceremony, likened the police duty to the work of God.

In his view, it would be ironic for a law enforcement officer to be violent. The work of a police officer is to make peace just like the ministry of Christ Jesus.

“Our inadvertent diversity which is supposed to bring about varieties also breeds conflict that can degenerate into violence. This calls for peacemakers. You will fail in your duty and work if you attempt to detach policing from religion,” the Methodist Presiding Bishop declared.

According to him, since religion shapes people, it would be wrong for police officers to ignore religion.

He also urged police officers not to underestimate their calling.

Very Rev. Supt. Jonas Samuel Aboagye, the Ashanti Regional Police Chaplain, stressed that the congregation used to meet at the recruits’ mess, which could not accommodate the congregation.

He indicated that the church, after moving to the classroom block, had to share the place with operational men and some personnel that undergo peace-keeping selection exercise and in-service training, among others.

“At a point in time, for two consecutive weeks the church could not worship forcing worshippers to do so in the sun on Sundays,” Supt. Aboagye submitted.

He said a truly religious person would take into account his or her faith.

For the police chaplain, Christianity affects the hearts of trainees and shapes their attitude and lifestyles.

“It has therefore become necessary that the church gets its own building,” he noted, adding that the building plan had been drawn.

He said the ground-breaking sod cutting ceremony was done in 2012.

The project is estimated to cost GH¢382,000, and so far about GH¢30,000 has been spent, Rev. Aboagye disclosed and added that the project had been mainly funded through offerings and tithes accumulated over the years.

“At the moment, we are short of funds and thus we need some assistance both kind and cash to continue the project…”

The building, when completed, would have a sitting capacity of 1,500, he said.

He appealed to benevolent persons to contribute to the completion of the project within the shortest possible time.