General News of Tuesday, 6 December 2011

Source: GNA

Police Administration apologizes for the attack on KATH staff

Kumasi, Dec. 6, GNA - The Police Administration has officially apologized to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for the unprovoked attack by five policemen on medical officers, nurses and security men of the health facility.

The apology letter was sent through the Ashanti Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Patrick E. Timbillah.

A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Adjei Nimo is alleged to have organized four policemen in mufti to beat up medical officers and other health professionals on duty at the hospital’s emergency wards, last Saturday, at about 1400 hours, in a bid to arrest a security man, reported to have had an earlier confrontation with them.

They severely beat up one Eric Kankam, a security guard, at the facility, sustaining broken and swollen cheeks and bruises in the face.

The victim was also allegedly detained for some hours when he went to the Central Police Station to make a formal complaint.

The crude conduct of the Police has angered the hospital and drawn public condemnation and outrage.

DCOP Timbilla, addressing a preview passing-out parade for 324 general recruits at the Police Training School at Patasi in Kumasi, said the Police high command would insist on professional ethics and discipline for the rank and file of the service.

He said it was incumbent on all to accept to live within the law, adding, it was wrong for anybody to take the law into his or her own hands.

He warned officers and men of the service against brutalizing and intimidating the very people they were supposed to protect.

He told them to reject pride, arrogance and the tendency to look down on others in society.

Policemen and women should carry themselves in a way that would help the service to win the admiration and support of the public.