Tamale, March 28, GNA - The Northern Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Roy Awuni, has appealed to police personnel to be prepared to face challenges. "We must be prepared to work hard even in the face of challenges and learn to take constructive criticisms in good faith," he said. Mr Awuni told his officers and men to discharge their duties professionally at a WASSA celebration over the weekend in Tamale. The celebration brought together personnel of the Service in the region including their families as well as representatives from sister state security agencies including the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Immigration Service.

He said even though the Service had chalked some success in containing crime in the region over the past year, there was need to step up efforts because 93We face a great challenge of confronting the ever increasing wave of chieftaincy disputes, armed robbery and other criminal activities in the region". Mr Awuni said crime had reduced in the region from 2,027 in 2009 to 1,908 reported cases in 2010. On motor accidents, 294 cases were reported in 2010 as against 229 in 2009, representing an increase of 65 cases. Mr Awuni said it was important for the police to improve upon its relations with the public and called on personnel 93to always endeavour to discharge our duties professionally and avoid behavioural tendencies that go to dent the image of the Service".

He said prospects of 2011 look bright for the Police Service since various schemes had been initiated by the government and the Police Administration to redress some logistical and housing problems. 28 March 11