"Don't misconstrue our calmness as a sign of weakness" -Ghana Police

The Ghana Police Service has cautioned the public not to misconstrue its calmness as a sign of weakness in the face of rising allegations that the Service is not discharging its duties to protect citizens.

“Nobody should misconstrue our calmness as a sign of weakness for those comments will not in any way daunt our resolve to stay committed in ensuring that we enforce the laws of the land fairly and passionately without regard to position, power, and religion, social or political status.”

“We want to assure those people that we are professionals and will therefore continue to remain calm and discharge our constitutional responsibilities in the face of these unwarranted provocations.”

The Inspector General of Police, Paul Quaye who made these remarks when the Interior Minister, Mr W. K. Aboah paid a visit to the Service at its head quarters, said “The Police Service is poised to undertake its duties professionally and will deal decisively with any person or group of persons who breach any law of the 

country before, during and after the general elections.”

He noted that the Service would do everything within its power to “jealously and religiously” protect the peace being enjoyed in the country.

He said the Police Service would effectively and efficiently discharge its duties under the constitution without fear or favour.

“We will not be biased toward any political groupings. We will continue to demonstrate our neutrality. We will stay glued to our legally accepted position of being accountable to the law and the people of Ghana,” he noted.

The Inspector General described the deliberate perception being created by a certain group of people in society that the Police are biased, partial and unprofessional as unfortunate.

“Let me hasten to add that it appears some people are becoming overly temperamental and are angrily using unprintable words to attack and discredit hardworking officers and men of the Service who are doing an excellent job to sustain the peace in the country,” he added.

Mr Quaye assured the public that the Police Service welcomes “open, honest and constructive criticisms. We believe such criticisms would refine the Police Service for it to improve upon its services to Ghanaians.”

He also advised the media to be circumspect in their reportage and “feed the populace with accurate and development oriented information that will keep us focused as a country.”

In order to avoid a situation that may compromise the peace and security of the country, the IGP further advised the media not to give their platforms to “some individuals and groups, who as a result of their parochial interests, go about mongering lies and unsubstantiated information just to incite, insult and attack the integrity of other well meaning persons or group of people.”

Jasmine Arku / etvghana.com