General News of Thursday, 18 June 2009

Source: GNA

Police needs public assistance in fight against crime - IGP

Tema, June 18, GNA - Mr. Paul Tawiah Quaye, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), on Thursday called on the public to assist the Police in the fight against crime that was resurging in the country's major cities.

He said the Police all over the world relied on informants in criminal investigations and detection of crimes. Mr. Paul Tawiah Quaye, who was addressing personnel of the Tema Regional Police Command, during a working visit, said the Police had adopted pro-active measures including intelligence gathering to enable them to identify, monitor and apprehend suspects.

He said it behoved Ghanaians to report criminals to the Police since they were living with them in the various communities. Mr. Quaye announced a reward of cash ranging between 2,000 Ghana cedis and 5,000 Ghana cedis to any person who would volunteer credible information that would lead to the arrest of a criminal. He, however, cautioned against the issuing of wrong information to the Police since offenders would not be spared.

The IGP appealed to other security agencies to work with the Police in ensuring law and order and urged personnel to be disciplined to win the confidence of the public.

Mr. Quaye tasked security personnel to thoroughly investigate sources of guns being used by criminals, to stop the proliferation of arms in the country.

He asked Regional and Divisional Police Commanders to ensure that dockets on cases were expeditiously prepared after investigations to avoid delays in the justice delivery system.

The IGP called on security personnel to undertake sound environmental practices at the barracks to ensure good health. Mr. Augustine Gyening, the Tema Regional Police Commander, said the Police lacked adequate logistics and accommodation and called for the renovation of buildings allotted to personnel in Tema. He said despite problems, the Police had worked hard to reduce the crime rate in the Tema Metropolis.