Accra, Feb. 26, GNA - The Police administration has charged personnel of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to elicit information leading to apprehension of individuals regarding fire outbreaks and bomb threats in the country.

Mr. Paul Tawiah Quaye, Inspector General of Police (IGP), who gave the directive, said "We must put our ears on the ground, make judicious use of our intelligence gathering skills and tap vital information by using our most trusted informants to stop these fake and ill-intended alarms before a permanent damage is inflicted on the security image of the country".

He gave the directive at the annual WASSA, organised by the CID in Accra on Friday.

Mr. Quaye said bomb scare, threats and the recent abnormal fire outbreaks affecting both public and private properties were a new phenomenon, which was creating panic and anxiety among the populace and required professional solution. He announced that the Police administration had secured a three-million European Union (EU) Grant and 12.5 million dollar Spanish Protocol Grant.

Mr. Quaye said four million dollars out of the amount would be used to purchase Automated Fingerprint and Imaging System for the Criminal Data and Statistics Bureau of the CID to boost its scientific investigations and operational effectiveness. He said the Police administration was negotiating for funds to procure crime detection equipment that would assist personnel to cope with advancing technological criminality trends. "Improvement and refurbishment of our forensic laboratory has also commenced," the IGP said.

Mr. Quaye reiterated that "2010 is our year of image redemption" and called on CID personnel to review the manner in which it treated suspects in custody and ensure expeditious investigations and strict adherence to the respect for fundamental and human rights. Mr. Quaye said they must strictly comply with SI 201 global professional standard and warned that personnel who would misconduct themselves would not be shielded. He said even though the Police Service could not achieve its set targets for 2009, it had recorded massive improvements to significantly reduce incidences of robberies and narcotic drugs trafficking. Mr. Quaye called on the CID to continue to deliver professional services as efforts were being made to provide the needed facilities. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Frank Adu-Poku, Director of CID, said with strategic planning and support the unit had successfully prosecuted 518 cases with 170 convictions while 322 cases were pending. He said last year, the CID begun retraining programmes on investigative topics for detectives and would continue this year to enhance investigative skills of personnel. DCOP Adu-Poku advised personnel to endeavour to protect the image of the service. "As detectives, we must avoid acts, omissions or commissions that would drag the image of the Police Service in the mud. We should respect the rights of suspects and be civil to the public for their support and cooperation, "he said. 26 Feb. 10