More than 400 new police personnel on Thursday passed-out at an impressive ceremony in Kumasi with a call on them to operate within the defined parameters of the law when discharging their duties.

This could be demonstrated in the protection of the rights and civil liberties of the citizenry as the police authorities would not countenance any breaches of the law by the police.

Commander of Police COP, Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh, the Director in charge of General Services, who made the call said it was morally wrong for the police officer to refuse to observe the law as the enforcer of the law.

“Regrettably, there have been instances when police personnel have been found to have aided and abetted criminals to commit offences”, he added.

The Police Commander, who was addressing the passing out parade, warned those who think it lies within their absolute discretion to decide how much freedom individual citizens enjoy in any given situation, to change.

“I urge you as well as other personnel to familiarize yourselves with the provisions of the Police Service Regulations and the constitutional provisions on human rights, to discharge your duties accordingly”.

COP Oppong-Boanuh reminded the graduating recruits of the new demands placed on them by the emerging changing face of policing, in which the traditional methods will no longer be enough to perform their duties.

“We still need the visibility patrols to address the fear of crime in our community’s based on intelligence to provide security for the citizenry” he said.

He counseled them to show respect and be fair to everyone in the communities where they would be posted and earn the confidence of community members, who would reciprocate this by volunteering important and credible information they would need in their work to stem crime.

DCOP Oppong-Boanuh said the country has invested a lot in their training, “therefore live up to expectation by contributing your quota in protecting life and property, preventing and detecting of crime and maintaining peace and public order”.

Prizes were awarded to outstanding students.

Constables Dramanu Alhassan Ouatara emerged as the overall best student and the best in academics, Maame Yaa Pokuaa Asare, won the most disciplined award, Euodia Adu Gyamfi was the best in drill whilst Ebenezer Hotor was adjudged the best in musketry. Imoro Arafat was best in physical training.

Also in attendance was DCOP Nathan Kofi Boakye, the Regional Police Commander and representatives from the various sister security agencies.