The database of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) has been linked to the National Identification Authority (NIA) to aid the Criminal Investigation Department to undertake speedy investigations of cases, the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has disclosed.
He made the disclosure at the 51st Cadet Officer’s graduation of which 308 officers comprising of five Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and 303 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs)passed out to the senior officers’ corps after nine months training in Accra yesterday.
The programme was graced by the Inspector General of Police(IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, members of the Police Management Board, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, members of the Police Council, representatives of sister security agencies, senior police, past IGPs, traditional rulers, family and friends.
Dr Bawumia urged the personnel to work collaboratively with the communities to improve safety and security for socio-economic development.
He said the innovative approaches deployed in policing our communities through enhanced community and stakeholder engagements, improved police visibility, intensive patrols as well as special anti-robbery task force deployment, just to mention a few, have greatly increased the sense of safety and security across the country.
The celebrated initiative dubbed Operation PAARI; that is, Police Action Against Rider Indiscipline alongside other road safety interventions “have led to a significant reduction in deaths and injuries involving motorcycles,” he stated.
The Vice President commended the GPS for their contribution towards the supremacy and rule of law in the country which continues to make Ghana a peaceful and a safe haven in the sub region.
Dr Bawumia urged the leadership of the Service to continue this transformational drive.
“I am confident that if the momentum is sustained, the GPS would become the most respected Police institution in the sub region and the reference point for the rest of the world,”he added
He assured of Government’s continuous effort to provide the Police with the needed infrastructure, resources and motivation necessary to effectively maintain law and order in line with its constitutional mandate.
“It is in the light of this commitment that additional infrastructure such as lecture/syndicate rooms, ultra-modern auditorium and residential accommodation are being put up at the Academy to contain the increasing number of officers admitted to the Academy,”he added
Dr Bawumia said within the year, the government even in the face of budgetary constraints recently procured over 2000 motorcycles for the Police to strengthen its on-going crime prevention/visibility operational initiatives within the framework of promoting democratic policing in the country.
As a result of this intervention, communities that hitherto were not easily accessible can have their share of police presence due to the better maneuverability capabilities of these motorcycles, adding that some 3000 more would be added to bring the number to 5000 to ensure that no community was left out.
He said about 200 pick-up vehicles have been procured for the Police to be used by Regional Formed Police Units (FPUs), soon to be deployed to about 140 locations across the country.
The Vice President called on the Police Administration to maximise opportunities under the ongoing government digitisation and digitalisation agenda to strengthen the Police Transformation Project to meet contemporary policing priorities and improve law enforcement service delivery and transnational collaborations for full benefits of the residents of Ghana and theneighbouring countries.
He entreated Ghanaians to come on board to ensure a safe, peaceful and a secure Ghana.
“Let us partner the police in our various communities to police us better. Passing on relevant information on crime and criminal activities to the police is a gesture that can save lives,” he added
As part of the occasion the overall best cadet officer award was presented to Princeton PeasahDarkwa, whiles RichloveKonaduAfoakwa was awarded with best in law enforcement subjects.
The Best in Criminal Investigations award was received by Isaac Owusu Ababio, Dr Ruby Abena Abrafi Okyere-Frempong was presented with the Exemplary Leadership award, Adwoa Agyeiwaa received the Commandant’s Special award, Prudence Sarah Yensu was adjudge the best in drill and the Best marksman award was presented to Samuel Amewornu.
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI
