Harruna Attah writes on...
To the new IGP
| Posted: Wednesday, March 30, 2005
I must first of all welcome you to your new job. I hope you will succeed in making your force an effective and efficient machine to combat crime and bring about law and order in this country we all cherish so much.
Philosophically, I am not in favour of one IGP sitting in Accra issuing orders all round. I believe in a decentralised police system where police work is community-based as distinct from a national crime investigating authority, which can be controlled from Accra.
But in the absence of that, we have to make do with what we have.
My first request to you is to work towards giving more power to the commanders in the regions and districts to evolve local strategies in combating crime.
Secondly, we must see more police personnel on the beat. As it is, we do not feel the presence of the police in our communities at all and are often surprised to see so many of them on parade during march pasts.
Thirdly, inculcate in your force the maxim that little things matter. For example, I have seen policemen with my own eyes turning a blind eye to over-loaded vehicles, wrongly parked vehicles or unregistered motorbikes zooming in and out of traffic.
If the police cannot check these little infractions, how can they solve major social law and order problems?
Remember that you cannot do it alone: involve the local authorities, the media and the people. Make your organization people-friendly - even change their uniforms from the intimidating black of colonialism into some light and approachable colour…
All the best.
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