Takoradi Sept.10, GNA – Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) John Kudalor, Director General in charge of Operations, has warned that any policeman who falls ill as a result of alcoholic intake would be penalised.

Addressing a cross-section of personnel of the Western Regional Police Command in Takoradi, he said the measure forms part of the efforts of the Police Administration to curb alcoholism in the service.

DCOP Kudalor said the Police Administration is determined to ensure that personnel of the service act professionally before, during and after the 2012 General Election.

He said about 2,000 recruits are undergoing training in six police training schools to beef up police presence in the elections and ensure efficient election policing.

He said more personnel would be recruited for training when the present batch complete training in October this year.

DCOP Kudalor said the Police Administration would collaborate with sister security agencies for good election policing, adding that personnel of the service would remain neutral during the elections.

He said the Police Administration is also concern about the carnage on the roads, which is mostly due to human error.

DCOP Kudalor urged the personnel to be disciplined and check overspeeding, overtaking and other traffic offences to save lives instead of accepting “tips” from drivers and allow them to go scot-free when they do wrong things.

DCOP Ransford Ninson, Regional Police Commander, spoke against the use of official vehicles by personnel of the service for their individual purposes.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Edwin Atampia who is a medical officer at the Regional Police Command, said reports from the Police Hospital indicate that most policemen in the country are abusing alcohol.

He said alcohol affects the nervous system and does not improve performance.