WAANSA salutes COP Kudalor

The West African Action Network on Small Arms and Light Weapons (WAANSA) has congratulated Commissioner of Police (COP) John Kudalor for his appointment as Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Ghana.

A statement signed by Mr Amadou Maiga, WAANSA President, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the Association has over the years followed the exploits of COP Kudalor who is capable of transforming Ghana Police Service into modern policing institution.

“We believe that President Mahama has made the right choice for a man who understands modern policing, to offer direction and leadership not only to Ghana but the sub-region,” the statement said.

It said "in modern policing, police officers are mandated to demonstrate strength of mind, strength of will and strength of character first, and force second - and only then, when absolutely necessary".

The statement urged COP Kudalor to play a leadership role in ensuring that in the West African sub-region, police force is strengthened to prevent crime and maintain order.

It urged the public and stakeholders to support the police as “policing depends largely on the approval and trust of the public in order to effectively do their job, as the ultimate aim of policing is to achieve voluntary compliance with the law in the community.

“Police must recognize that the more cooperation they can achieve within the community, the less often they will need to use force to achieve compliance with the law,” the statement said.

It urged COP Kudalor to ensure that the Police maintain the public favour and cooperation by providing impartial and independent law enforcement services saying “they must extend the same courtesy and respect to everyone, regardless of economic or social standing.

The use of force and physical control is to be used as a last resort, only when other forms of persuasion have failed,” the statement said.

The statement reminded Police officers in Ghana in particular and those from the Sub-region that Police officers too, are members of the public and that their purpose is to serve and protect the public.

“The true measure of the effectiveness of any police force is not the number of arrests or police actions taken, but the absence of criminal conduct and violations of the law.

“The idea of policing requires a holistic approach to community service, taking into account the problems that plague a community and working with the people within that community to solve them.