Pwalugu, Oct. 12, GNA - Two hundred and thirty-nine Police Recruits passed out at the Police Training School at Pwalugu near Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region on Friday.

The recruits went through six months intensive training and taught Criminal Law Procedure, Service Instructions, Criminal Investigations, Practical Police Duties, Law of Evidence, Acts of Decrees, Criminology and Social Psychology, Professional Policing Ethics, Domestic violence and Report Writing.

Others were First Aid, Musketry, Map Reading, Physical Training, Foot and Rifle Drill.

Mr Ofosu-Mensah Gyeabour, Upper East Regional Police Commander, who reviewed the parade said training of the recruits was crucial to the nation since development of character, good performance at job places and observance of human rights depended largely on training and constant refresher courses.

He appealed to the public to assist the police in combating crime, adding that the olice needed the support and encouragement of the communities to enable them work efficiently.

Mr Gyeabour called on chiefs and corporate bodies in the Region to support the Police Administration to asphalt the Police Training School parade grounds and the main road leading to the school to enhance the training of police personnel.

He urged the recruits to exhibit high professionalism and the spirit of dedication and patriotism since the taxpayer's money was used to train them with the expectation that they would provide good quality service to the communities they were supposed to serve. "The onus therefore lies on you to carry your national duties in the field of professional policing with dedication and patriotism," Mr Gyeabour stressed.

He urged recruits who would be on duty during the Africa Cup of Nations Tournament scheduled to take place from January to February 2008 to show dedication, loyalty, discipline, punctuality, and respect for humanity in the performance of their duties.

Mr Gyeabour however, stressed that they should not compromise on criminal activities and traffic indiscipline during the tournament. Recruit Mawuli Kuma was adjudged overall best recruit and was presented with a baton and a prize.