IGP reads the riot act – charges commanders to deal ruthlessly with miscreants
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), David Asante Apeatu has served the clearest warning yet that the police will give no miscreant the space to operate in the country.
On a day when he reviewed the smart turnout and passing out parade for 618 police recruits at the National Police Training School in Accra, he warned that the police will no longer keep mute over the senseless killings of officers in uniform and baseless attacks on police posts and stations.
“I have charged my commanders to deal ruthlessly with anyone who henceforth dares to wage senseless attacks on any police installation or officer”, he warned.
He said the police have collectively resolved to reverse the trend of action, saying the officers and men of the service will not be cowed to allow lawlessness to take over the country.
The IGP said decent minded citizens of the country desire to live in peace as they struggle each day to make ends meet and that “These decent and law abiding persons are in the majority and we have their support.”
The Police Service has lost a number of personnel in the line of duty, mowed down by suspected criminals particularly in the Greater Accra Region.
According to the IGP, the victims were some the Service's "finest and gallant officers" who have been lost due to "acts that can best be described as criminal and perpetuated by cowards."
The IGP also used the occasion to commend officers and men f the service for restraining themselves from reprisal attacks characteristic of uniform officers whenever they are recklessly attacked and their authority challenged.
He told the new constables that the police profession is not easy for myriad of reasons and charged them to be mentally prepared for the tasks ahead since they will be confronted with varied challenges.
"This job will demand your full life with very little space for leisure. Your full commitment is expected at all times," he told them.
While commending the recruits and their trainers for a good work and smart drills, he singled out General Recruit Vincent Kofi Macarty for special praise for emerging the overall best recruit.
View more photos of the new recruits here