Chief Superintendent Laurencia W. Akorli, Director/Community Policing Unity, has said Ghana Police Service has a strong commitment to ensure that child victims and witnesses are treated in a caring and sensitive manner throughout the investigation process.

Chief Superintendent Akorli said this when delivering a presentation at a four-day workshop, on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for child-friendly policing held at the Police Command and Staff College at Winneba.

The programme was organized by the Police Administration for 200 police officers drawn from Kasoa, Swedru, Dawurampong divisions, Apam and Winneba districts.

Chief Superintendent Akorli said the objectives for the development of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) include, to provide guidance on effective and child-friendly handling of child victims or witnesses of crime and promote a framework for collaboration with key stakeholders, governmental and non-governmental, who support police efforts to protect children from harm and prosecute offenders.

She said the SOPs apply to all members of the Ghana Police Service, including all general duty officers, investigating officer, supervisors and senior police in management positions and they are applicable to all crimes, incidents and investigations involving children as victims and other witnesses.

“The SOPS replace all other guidelines for dealing with child victims and witnesses of crime in line with the rules governing the Ghana Police service and any breach of it is a misconduct calling for disciplinary proceedings”.

She said, Ghana Police Service recognizes successful investigation and prosecution of people who commit crimes against children and it’s required specialized approaches.

Chief Superintendent Akorli said these standard operating procedures will be monitored and evaluated to ensure their proper implementation and the establishment of safeguards to protect children.

Chief Superintendent Akorli and Chief Inspector David J. Quanson at the Criminal Investigation Headquarters Administration, resources persons, took the participants on the objectives of the SOPs, Guiding Principles, Consideration the best interest of the Child, Upholding Children’s Rights, and offences against a child reported by telephone.