Koforidua, Aug. 15, GNA - Mr Selwin Bart Mettle, Director-General of Police in-charge of Technical Services, has appealed to Ghanaians not to corrupt police officers, but rather encourage them to serve the best interest of the nation.

He said the state invested huge resources in the training of police personnel to ensure that they were capable of ensuring a safe environment for the citizenry to pursue their legitimate aspirations, adding that it would e be wrong for public to corrupt them. Addressing a ceremony to mark the passing out of 149 recruits into the Ghana Police Service at Koforidua on Tuesday, Mr Mettle urged the public "not only to gladly accept and work with young officers but also to make conscious effort not to corrupt them".

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah, the Eastern Regional Police Commander, Mr Felix Asare-Darko, the Commanding Officer of the National Police Training School, Chief Superintendent James Abass-Abaah and heads of decentralized agencies were among hundreds of people at the ceremony.

Mr Mettle, who is a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), reminded the recruits of current controversies and debates on the operations of the Service and entreated them to develop the right attitudes and sensibilities to stand the test of public scrutiny and approval. Serving officers who failed to acquiesce to Police edits, Mr Mettle cautioned, would be dealt with since the Service was an honourable profession, which thrived on serving others for its pride and fulfilment.

He advised police personnel to refrain from lording it over and harassing fellow citizens, warning that those caught in such acts run the risk of severe disciplinary action with possible dismissal from the Service and possible imprisonment. In particular, DCOP Mettle cautioned the recruits not to place their self-interests above those of the Service and the nation since by so doing they "would be betting on the wrong horse".

The Overall Best Recruit award went to Jerome Amuzu, who also took the award for Academics, while Dei-Zaga Kwadutey was adjudged the Best Marksman, with Prince Sekyi picking the Physical Drill prize.