Accra, April 30, GNA - One hundred and seventy-one Police recruits on Friday passed out at the National Police Training School in Accra after going through a six-month intensive training.

The recruits - 110 males and 61 females- were taken through courses including English Language; Report Writing; Professional Police Ethics; Law of Evidence; Criminal Law; Social Psychology; Practical Police Duties; Domestic Violence; Physical Training; Drills; Weapons Training and Taekwondo.

Inducting the recruits into the Police Service, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Charge of Operations, Mr Patrick Acheampong told that as the country approached this year's presidential and parliamentary elections they would be required to fulfil their constitutional obligation of protecting life and property.

He told them that their training would be fruitless if they did not nurture the discipline and professionalism imparted to them during their training.

Mr Acheampong tasked them to apply positively the tenets and principles of good policing to assure the public that they could continue to rely on them for protection.

He advised them: "If you choose to practice the ethics of your profession in ways that are socially acceptable and legally authorised, you will make a good Police Officer. On the other hand, if you choose the path of greed, indiscipline, corruption and unwelcome ambition to be rich overnight, then it needs no prophet to prophesy that you will jeopardize your career sooner than later."

Mr Acheampong asked them resist pressures from their family, peers, relatives and friends because experience had shown that they were the most negative influences that often hindered or destroyed the career of young Policemen and Policewomen.

He admonished the public not to tempt and make improper request on Police Officers in order not to dent the image of the Police Service. Constable Kofi Wiafe took two awards. He was awarded for being the best All Round Recruit and the Best in Academics.

The award for Best in Physical Training went to Constable Eric Mintah; While Constable Christine Gogobli took the award for Best in Marksmanship. The Drills award went to Constable Mabel Yirenkyi while the Commanding Officer's Special Award went to Constable John Nartey.