The Commissioner of Police and President of the Police Ladies Association (POLAS), Beatrice Vib Zakpa Sanzirim, has called on the Police Administration to demonstrate commitment in ensuring that the needs of female police officers are identified, taken into consideration and addressed within the organization.
According to her, the needs include fair treatment given to men and women and equal opportunities regardless of gender.
She stated: “This can be done through mainstreaming gender in all aspects of policing including recruitment, training, deployment, transfers, promotion, welfare and representation in leadership”.
She has therefore called for an urgent need for a gender policy for the Service which will be based on international best practices in gender mainstreaming.
COP Beatrice Sanziri, who doubles as the director general in charge of human resource development of the Police Service, made these remarks at the opening of the 2018 annual general meeting of POLAS at the police headquarters in Accra.
POLAS was formed in January 1989 as an association comprising all policewomen irrespective of rank. The aim of the association is to raise the standard of discipline and professionalism of policewomen and bring together their individual talents for the benefit of all and also emphasise the welfare of members.
She stated that in building society, women are inseparable, saying “they are agents of peace, conflict resolution and state building”.
Touching on the theme “The Role of the Policewoman in the Transformation Agenda”, the president of the police ladies association, said “this will provide the policewoman the platform to consider topics like financial independence for the modern policewoman, including the welfare of the police lady.”
She appealed to the police administration to consider appointing some qualified women to some of the regions to occupy regional positions when there are vacancies.
In an address, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante-Apeatu, said policing in recent times was changing from leaning heavily on physical attributes such as height, weight and brute strength to attributes like excellent interpersonal problem– solving and conflict–resolution skills.
He noted that women often approach and solve problems from different angles than their male counterparts and his administration recognizes these differences and sees them as vital components of a great team.
“I take this opportunity to remind all police officers to be guided by the highest form of ethics and professionalism in the performance of their duties since the police administration will only support officers whose hard work enhances the image of the Service and will not hesitate to punish those whose actions and inactions tarnish the image of the Service,” the IGP stated.
Also present at the ceremony were representatives of sister security services, retired police officers, national executives of POLAS and representatives from the Canadian High Commission.
(lindatenyah@gmail.com)
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey