Upper East Police Command sets target for 2010

Bolgatanga, Feb 19, GNA - The Upper East Regional Police Command has said though it has made significant strides in crime reduction in the Region in 2009, there was still the need to work to reduce crime in the area. The Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Bright Oduro, said this when he addressed police personnel at a Regional Commander's Parade held on Wednesday.

He gave the major crimes recorded for 2009 to include 36 armed robbery cases, 23 murder cases, stealing 876, threat of life and harm 200 and assault and offensive conduct 1600. Mr Oduro said for 2010 the Police Command in the Region had set up targets to work to reduce the crime wave in the Region by at least 50 per cent.

He said smuggling of fuel to neighbouring countries would be halted and warned police personnel who are alleged to be involved in the illegal trade by condoning and conniving with fuel smugglers to stop to the practice. "All of us must strive to make these targets a reality. In your own little way you must do your utmost to reduce these major crimes in the Region", he said.

Mr Oduro commended police personnel stationed at Bawku for their role in maintaining peace and order in the area but said he was not happy about the way some of them misconduct themselves and cited instances where they divulged their grievances to the media instead of following the "Instruction Number 59" of the Police Administration.

He said the Police Regional Command keeps on receiving complaints about extortion and other unprofessional conducts of Police men and women at barriers and check points.

Mr Oduro told them to stop these negative acts and that his administration would sanction those who would be caught. He assured them that plans were advanced to provide accommodation for them but asked that for the meantime those who had no accommodation could rent and later the service would reimburse them. 19 Feb 10