Undermining investigators to be sanctioned

Ho, Oct. 10, GNA - Police Investigators who undermine the process of prosecuting criminals by delaying subpoenas to witnesses would henceforth be sanctioned, Mrs Felicia Okyere-Darko, Volta regional Chief State-Attorney, warned on Friday

Mrs Okyere-Darko told 25 Police Detectives at a seminar in Ho that some Policemen exhibited tendencies that created the impression that the duties of the Police and the Attorney General's Department were not inter-related.

"We play complimentary roles, especially with regards to indictable offences; help us to do the prosecution to get rid of criminals in our midst", she said.

The one-day seminar, sponsored by the Regional Office of the National Population Council (NPC) was to upgrade the investigative skills of Police Detectives.

Mrs Okyere-Darko suggested that funds should be put aside to pay travel and transport claims of witnesses regularly instead of waiting for the final determination of the case before such expenses were paid. She advised that investigators on transfer should leave referable data on witnesses to enable their successors to link up easily with witnesses.

Mrs. Okyere-Darko implored prosecutors to resist being hoodwinked by counsels to grant bails to suspects in rape and defilement cases, saying that could only be determined by the High Courts.

On mode of arrests, she advised the Police not to be over zealous but meticulously follow the rules to avoid a brush with the law.

Mr Kofi Duku Arthur, Volta Regional Police Commander advised the Police never to underestimate the intelligence of the public and ensure that there was a touch of professionalism to every action they took. He said they must always take the human rights provisions in the Constitution into consideration when handling people, saying, "treat people, as you would want to be treated".

Mr Edwin Darkey, Regional Population Officer said the state ambivalence in Police-General Public relations was not the best and that the Police should have the fullest cooperation from the general public. He said the general rise in population, especially in the cities was a challenge to crime prevention.