Head of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Cephas Arthur has cautioned the public to desist from giving money to the police, but check them to make sure they discharge their duties properly.

He says confidence of the public in the Ghana Police Service in recent times has superseded any other era's in the history of the country.

According to him, efforts by the Service to provide security to all Ghanaians especially in homes and churches has given the public renewed confidence in the police.

He was speaking on TV3’s Midday Live when he made these submissions.

“If there is any era that the confidence in the police is soaring, then it is this era.”

He noted that the performance of officers before, during and after the 2012 Elections and the yeoman’s job done by the Service during and after the landmark Election Petition has given the police a new image.

DSP Arthur announced that the police will not relent in its efforts to maintain the standard it has set for itself.

As a result, the service has launched an operation that will ensure security during the Yuletide – Operation Father Christmas, he said.

“We are taking charge of security in our communities,” he explained.

He dismissed the misconstruction that the Operation will be an opportunity for monies to be taken from unsuspecting citizens, tasking the public to also police officers.

“Members of the public must check the police. They must resist from giving monies to the police.”

He said the police have begun visiting churches in the capital to educate members on the need to be security-conscious in the face of recent kidnappings of children.

He advised that at least basic security lessons must be given by every guardian to his or her child.

“In these times, these are the places where we have gatherings,” he said of the church.