IGP David Asante-Apeatu
The Volta Region has recorded about 300 percent increase in armed robbery cases in the first quarter of 2017 as compared with the same period last year.
Although there has been a significant drop in the number of serious cases, the region has recorded a total of eight robbery cases from January to April, 2017 as against three in the same period of last year.
Murder cases have however dropped from 14 in the first quarter of last year to 10 in 2017 while stealing cases stand at 400 in 2017 as against 500 cases in the first quarter of 2016.
There has also been a significant drop in rape cases from 13 in 2016 to six this year while defilement cases also dropped from 30 in 2016 to 20 in the first quarter of this year.
The regional police command’s intensified fight against the possession and transportation of Indian hemp is yielding results as Indian hemp cases have also dropped from 596 in the first quarter of 2016 to 453 in 2017.
The Volta Regional Police Commander, ACP Nana Hinneh Asomah, who disclosed this at this year’s West Africa Security Services Association (WASSA) celebration, has tasked the crime unit of the service in the region to tighten its fight against crime in the region.
He said the police service is committed to fighting crime and creating a peaceful atmosphere for citizens to go about their daily duties without fear or panic.
Police Conduct
ACP Asomah expressed worry about complaints and perceptions of misconduct about personnel in the region.
He therefore cautioned his men against such misconducts, if true, to allay the fears of the public.
He also vowed to take the necessary disciplinary action against any personnel of the police service in the region that would be engaged in any act of gross indiscipline and unprofessional practices.
According to him, “the ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police existence, actions, behaviour and the ability of the police to secure and maintain public respect, thus we must endeavour to be courteous, respectful and accommodating to members of the public”.
He also cautioned the police personnel to accord the maximum respect to other senior officers of the various security services in the region, warning that any personnel found to have disrespected any superior officer would be dealt with appropriately.
Gibril Abdul Razak, Ho (gbabdulrazak@gmail.com)