The Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh Kwofie, has dismissed claims made by Nana Botwe II, Chief of Agona Swedru that the Police in the area were corrupt and compounding criminal activities.

The claims published by an Accra daily newspaper on Tuesday August 21, further quoted Nana Botwe as stating that the town was on the verge of being taken over by a few miscreants and organized criminals dabbling in drugs and cyber crimes, but the Swedru Police had woefully failed in their duties.

At a press conference at the Police Regional Headquarters in Cape Coast on Wednesday to react to the allegations, DCOP Andoh Kwofie described the allegation as “discouraging” at a time when the Police was doing all it could to ensure peace this election year.

He also expressed dismay that the chief had not reported any of these criminals he was making reference to, to the police knowing very well that the police rely on information from citizens in combating crime.

He said the crime rate in Swedru had for the past two years gone down with only two crimes being one highway robbery and a residence robbery reported and the criminals involved were arrested and prosecuted.

The Regional Police Commander stressed that the prime duty of the Police was to prevent crime and protect people and property and appealed to the chiefs and people of Swedru to report any criminal activity to the police and not to the press.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Owusu Donyinah, acting Swedru divisional commander, reiterated calls to the public to report suspected criminals to the police.