General News of Wednesday, 27 November 2019

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Take videos of police bribery in action- IGP advices

IGP James Oppong-Boanuh IGP James Oppong-Boanuh

In a bid to curb police misconduct and citizens misconceptions about the police service, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh, has advised Ghanaians to capture and send photos and videos of police officers who are caught in the act of taking bribes. This move will bring to book police personnel who are involved in the act.

The IGP, speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s “Ekosii Sen”, made known the 24-hour call center numbers where persons can text, call or send WhatsApp messages to report cases of police officers in the illicit act. This move forms part of measures put in place to sanitize and instil discipline in the service.

“If you think you’ve been unfairly treated by a police office or have been unlawfully made to pay bribe, you can call the numbers. We will answer and proceed with investigations,” the IGP noted.

James Oppong-Boanuh sent a word of caution to persons who indulge in the act of paying bribes to the police in other to prevent the possibility of being arraigned before court. He stressed that, individuals who pay bribe are equally guilty of the crime. In Ghana and elsewhere, it is a crime to pay bribe to a police officer. However, most people have been found offering bribes in the form of money to police officers to overlook a crime.

“I want to make it clear that there are bad nuts in the police service…. we should all help stop bribery and corruption. I have realized that Ghanaians don’t like stress…if we all decide to go to court when arrested, nobody will take bribe. If you decide not to pay bribe, no police officer can force his hands into your pocket,” the IGP advised.

Persons who witness any activity of crime in their community can call the 24-hours toll-free number 191 or 18555 to report such cases for prompt response from the police.

Individuals can contact the policer service to report bribery cases on these numbers:

Voice call and SMS: 0550323323/ 0275000156

WhatsApp line: 0206639121