COP Dr Dampare, flanked by other senior police officers addressing personnel
A total of fourteen thousand two hundred (14,200) police personnel have been deployed by the police Administration to perform operational duties across the country before, during and after the Christmas festivities.
In addition, eighteen thousand other personnel will be performing traditional police duties indirectly related to the festive period.
The director general in charge of Police Operations, COP Dr George Akuffo Dampare said the deployment of personnel which has started is part of strategies by the service to maintain law and order before, during and after the Christmas festivities.
Speaking at a media briefing on police operational strategies for the Christmas, COP Dampare said the Christmas periods which normally starts in November spanning to February is often involved in merry making and religious activities which also attract criminals and vehicular traffic.
“The increase in activities during this period presents several security concerns including robberies on our highways, streets and residential areas, traffic congestion, drunk driving and other road traffic infractions leading to accidents.”
The Director General of Operations said, in the area of traffic management, operational personnel will be deployed to beef up the number of MTTU personnel in the major cities to manage the traffic situation.
“Personnel will also be deployed on the highways and other crime prone roads especially during market days and other special events in various forms to ensure that armed robbers and other criminals do not take advantage to attack any law abiding citizen.”
On commercial, street and entertainment centres too, Dr Dampare assured that personnel will also be deployed in both plain cloth and uniform to entertainment centres, shopping malls, lorry stations and other crime prone streets to deter and arrest suspicious characters who will be out there to disturb law abiding citizens.
He noted that patrols will also be intensified at residential areas and special events including religious events to ensure the safety of all.
He said logistics and other accoutrements which will be needed by personnel have been provided to ensure that they work efficiently and effectively to prevent criminals from taking advantage of the festive period.
Cop Dampare urged personnel being deployed to maintain discipline, commitment and professionalism at all levels of the chain of command to achieve the needed result.
He also called on individuals to cooperate with the police as they provide security during the Christmas festivities.
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey