Crime & Punishment of Saturday, 19 February 2005

Source: GNA

Police cautioned against compromising with public

Ashaiman, (GAR) Feb. 19, GNA -- The Tema Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Daniel Laryea Odai, has cautioned the police against compromising with the public when establishing rapport with them.

"In as much as peaceful co-existence with your immediate public is important you must also be careful not to compromise as far as the laws of the police service and the laws of the land are concerned", he stressed.

ACP Odai gave the advice at the annual get-together (WASSA), of the Ashaiman Divisional Police over the weekend.

According to him the Community Policing System under the service demands that the policeman work in conjunction with the concerned citizen and therefore warned against working in isolation but to be approachable enough for the public to feed them with the necessary information.

He noted that Ashaiman has few recalcitrant criminals who have dominated the good nature of the town and said it was necessary for the police to liaise with the citizens to get the hideouts of these criminals for prosecution.

He sent a sign of caution to those policemen who refused their responsibilities at home but take delight in leading immoral lives and reminded them that investing in their children's education, especially, is very important because it could determine whether you will have enjoyable life in future or not.

The Ashaiman Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Harry K. Fiawoo, praised the role of the day and night patrolling team, which is made up of a combined team of the Police and the Military, in reducing crime in the area.

He however, stressed the need for maximum co-operation between members of the public and the police to help it achieve its principal objective of protecting life and property.

He also urged the various neighbourhood watch committees to assist the police in the fight against crime in the various localities by reporting on the movements and activities of criminals to the police. He advised the police to exhibit high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties and warned that any "act of indiscipline on the part of any service personnel will be strictly dealt with".