The Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Kwesi Ofori, has averred that the Police Service will not shield any of its officers involved in any form of criminality.
Speaking on the recent arrest of Police officers alleged to be involved in bullion van robberies, he mentioned that those involved in these criminalities have been exposed and the law will take its course.
“One of the big plus is that, we are not prepared to shield any of our own.”
ACP Kwesi Ofori
Commenting on the recent development, ACP Kwesi Ofori posited that it is unfortunate for Police Officers to be involved in such acts. He, however, indicated that the Police administration has a good structure and system in place, which is very effective and efficient to put Police men and women in good conduct.
The Public Affairs head averred that the Police has been performing very well in clamping down on armed robbery, making sure that public security is at its best and is going all out to provide good services.
“We will not accept that any member should be involved in such an act. It is very inimical to the general welfare and security of Ghanaians and we frown upon it.”
ACP Kwesi Ofori
Officers to face the law
As a result of the recent arrests, ACP Kwesi Ofori revealed the Police Service has taken a bold decision to make sure that the officers involved face the full rigors of the law. He said, “The administration will do anything possible to flash out any miscreants in the Service”.
Clarifying the circumstances which led to the shooting of the two Police officers allegedly involved in the Bullion van robbery, he explained that the investigative team were on site to investigate other sensitive matters regarding the bullion van investigations which led them to carry out serious intelligence operations.
However, in the course of the operation, ACP Kwesi Ofori disclosed that there was exchange of fire with the criminals which resulted in some injuries.
“In the process, the two suffered injuries. Medical services were provided to them but unfortunately, they passed on.”
ACP Kwesi Ofori
Touching on how to reduce the involvement of personnel in crimes, ACP Kwesi Ofori, disclosed that the Police Service has an effective internal machinery that “polices” the Police. He noted that the Service has a machinery that is able to bring out wrongdoing and also the strength and the boldness of the Police administration.
“It is the Police that detected these criminalities and investigated this matter. The Police administration exposed the matter and is also seeing to it that they go before the law and as such, the public must have confidence in the Police.”
ACP Kwesi Ofori
Search on officers assets must be conducted
Meanwhile, Security Analyst, Dr. Adams Bonah, intimated that authorities must conduct a search into the properties and assets of all the officers who joined the Police Service in the last ten years. The Security Analyst indicated that this must be done to help re-profile and run a search on officers to fish out the wrong ones.
In his view, criminals have joined the Service just to look for money and as such involving themselves in criminalities which goes against the law.