Sunyani, June 1, GNA - Deputy Commissioner of Police Kwaku Ayensu Opare Addo, Brong Ahafo Police Commander, has warned that the service would not protect any police personnel who would engage in malfeasance. "Any personnel who engages in wrongful activities will never be protected but would be exposed to face the full rigours of the law to serve as deterrent to others", he added.

The Regional Police Commander gave the warning at a press briefing in Sunyani following the arrest of 16 persons, including a police constable for their involvement in various crimes, including possession of Indian hemp, murder, misconduct and forgery. DCP Opare-Addo urged police personnel to lead lives worthy of emulation to bring respect to the service. He stressed that nobody was above the law and that any police personnel who would misconduct himself or herself would be dealt with accordingly.

The Regional Commander urged the public to report any police personnel who would misbehave to the appropriate quarters for discilpinary action.

On the arrest and interdiction of a policeman in connection with a narcotic drug, he explained that the police in Kintampo became suspicious when they noticed the regular appearance of a Hyundai taxi cab with registration number AS 6414 X at a certain area in the town. The Regional Commander said the police, on May 29 sighted the cab carrying four bales of items, which they suspected to contain 'Indian hemp' at its back seat so gave it a chase.

The cab driver on realizing that he was being chased abandoned the vehicle and bolted but the police seized the vehicle and its contents, which they sent to the police station. DCP Opare-Addo said the following day, Lance Corporal Bennett Panianna, who was on duty at Subinso barrier, near Wenchi, accompanied one Osei Kofi to the police station at Kintampo and attempted to bribe the district commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police Peter Cobbina to release the items.

DCP Opare-Addo said DSP Cobbina immediately detained the two and reported the matter to the regional command in Sunyani. He said Corporal Panianna had since been interdicted for misconduct and for interfering with the work of the police.

In another development, the Sunyani Municipal police command told the Ghana News Agency that six persons, including a primary six pupil and the Odikro of Kwagyingin village, near Nsawkaw, in Tain district, had been arrested in a police swoop at Nsawkaw for possessing 10 bags of Indian hemp and four locally manufactured guns. He said the police intercepted the items upon a tip off. 01 June 07