Stop bribing us - Police Boss

The Brong-Ahafo Regional Police Command, as part of its efforts to re-affirm public confidence in the service, has directed the general public to stop bribing the Police when caught by the law.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Maxwell Sakipasgo Atingane, the Regional Commander, said this at the launch of the Programme to re-affirm Public confidence in the Ghana Police service in Sunyani.

According to him, the image of the Ghana Police service had over the years attracted unwarranted comments, especially from the general public, as a result of the shameful and disgraceful acts perpetrated by a limited number of police personnel.

DCOP Atingane indicated that to effectively address the challenges and re-affirm public confidence in the service, a critical self-assessment was made to establish some unprofessional practices, including extortion of money from drivers and demanding money before granting bail.

He said other unprofessional practices that the police engage in, include excessive use of force, abuse of rights of suspects, illegal detention of suspects, wrongful arrests, poor treatment of detained suspects, as well as poor investigation of cases.

The Brong-Ahafo Regional commander of police said the assessment also established administrative weaknesses within the service that hampers efficiency and effectiveness of the service’s poor performance.

DCOP Atingane disclosed that the police Administration had realized that the only way forward was to boldly fight and eliminate all image tarnishing vices and their associated perpetrators in the service.

Hence it would partner the key stake-holders in rolling out a sensitization programme for the public to know their rights as citizens and the role of the police in a democratic system, including reporting police abuse and misconduct.

He, therefore, warned personnel of the service that the era where they acted with impunity was over.

The Regional commander emphasized the call on the public to stop offering bribes and also be ready to inform the police on personnel misconduct.

He also urged the media to continue to be the eye of the public to put the police service on its toes, and expose personnel who misconduct themselves.