The Bureau Of Public Safety (BPS) Has Called For An Immediate And Independent Investigation Into The Shooting By Police In Bortianor, A Suburb Of Accra, Over The Weekend.
Five People Were Killed In The Incident, Which The Police Have Said Was A Shoot-Out With Suspected Land Guards.
However, Nana Yaw Akwada, Executive Director Of BPS, In A Statement, Has Raised Concerns About The Police’s Use Of Force, Saying That It Appeared To Have Been Unjustified.
It Said “With Great Distress, We Acknowledge The Possibility That The Five Individuals May Have Fallen Victim To What Appears To Be An Unjustified Use Of Force.”
The BPS Said “This Is Deeply Troubling And Goes Against Our Constitution’s Justice And Fair Treatment Principles,” Adding That It Was Concerned About The Emerging Culture Of Violence By The Police Service.
The Bureau Noted That In Recent Years, There Have Been A Number Of High-Profile Incidents In Which Police Have Used Excessive Force, Sometimes Resulting In The Deaths Of Innocent Civilians.
The BPS Stated Said “The Trust And Confidence Of The Public In Law Enforcement Are Essential, And It Is Paramount That Any Concerns Regarding Police Actions Are Thoroughly Examined By A Neutral And Objective Body.
“It Is Paramount That Any Concerns Regarding Police Actions Are Thoroughly Examined By A Neutral And Objective Body. We Are Minded By Outcomes Of Similar Incidents In The Recent Past And Fear That If This Trend Is Not Adequately Addressed It Might Endanger Innocent Lives Of Citizens, Lead To A Loss Of Trust In The Police And Thus Undermine Their Legitimacy.”
The Statement Said It Was Confident That A Thorough Investigation Of The Incident Would Shed Light On The Truth And Enable Necessary Actions To Be Taken, To Prevent Recurrence Of Such Distressing Events.” —Citinewsroom.Com
