The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, has cautioned private security companies in the country to adhere to rules and regulations governing in the industry.
He said any company found to be in breach of any regulation would be dealt with accordingly, adding that, “such unprofessional and unethical conduct will not be tolerated”
The IGP said this at the opening ceremony of a two-day seminar for regional liaison officers of private security organisations (PSOs) in Accra yesterday, stating that measures had been put in place to ensure that illicit operations in the industry were stopped.
The programme, which brought together participants from 11 regions, was aimed at discussing the issues of private security operations in the country.
Mr Oppong-Boanuh said private security played a significant role within the national security architecture by complementing the efforts of the police in maintain internal peace and security.
The IGP said some of the PSOs continued to operate contrary to the provision of the regulations, thereby endangering the security of the country.
He said some personnel of the PSOs wore quasi police and military uniforms which was creating a lot of security breaches and confusing the public regarding their identity and authority.
The IGP said new uniforms for the industry had been adopted for the sector per Regulation 12 of the L.I1579(1994).
Mr Oppong-Boanuh said registration and vetting processes had been streamlined to improve efficiently in acquisition of licences.
He said, “Regional Police Commanders, through the regional PSOs Liaison Officers and the Regional Operations Officers will organise intelligence led swoops on PSOs illegal activities as well as those using weapons in their operations’’.
The Minister of the Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery, in a speech read on his behalf by a Deputy Director at the Ministry, Ms Deborah Mensah, said currently, the police citizen ratio stood at 1:866, “which is not encouraging considering the United Nations standard of1:500”
The PSOs, he noted, have supplemented the effort of the security services, and encouraged them to expedite action on the development of a comprehensive database to capture all guards and other information.
The Director-General of the Private Security Operations Directorate (PSOD), Commissioner of Police (COP) Simon Afeku, in his open remarks said the establishment of private security Industry two decades ago was to support the effort of the Police Service in delivering security services in homes and businesses.
An executive member of the Association of Private Security Organisation, Mr Daniel Ayi Akwei, commended the Police Service for clamping down on unlicenced private security agencies in the country.
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI
