Accra, April 1, GNA - Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Rose Bio Atinga, Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, has warned police personnel to refrain from unprofessional acts that could tarnish the image of the Ghana Police Service.

She said "There are some bad nuts among you who have engaged in extortion, bribery, corruption as well as armed robbery, casting a slur on the image of the region and the Police Service at large". DCOP Atinga was speaking at the Annual Regional WASSA 2009 celebration, organized by the Accra Central Division of the Service, to reward nine officers who excelled in the performance of their duties during the past year.

She said that the Service would not shield any police officer who would be caught engaging in criminal activities. DCOP Atinga said "The region as you can attest to is saddled with a lot of criminal activities and chieftaincy disputes and litigations". She said that the Police had worked hard to manage traffic congestion in the Central Business District of Accra and battled it out with criminals in hideouts and dens in the Ministries area. DCOP Atinga said that persistent swoops on criminals at their hide outs by the Police had resulted in a reduction in crime in the area. She asked the personnel not to relent their efforts in maintaining law and order to ensure that law-abiding citizens carried out their normal duties peacefully.

Mr. Emmanuel Asampong, Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, advised the award winners not to become complacent but to work harder to enable them win more laurels.