Wednesday, August 27, 2008

TWIN-CITY POLICE DESERVE COMMENDATION (PAGE 25)

Despite the limited resources at the disposal of the Ghana Police Service the Western Regional Police Command led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan has demonstrated its class and readiness to handle any rowdy situation in the metropolis and the region as a whole.
This display of professionalism was demonstrated in a proactive manner during the just-ended annual delegates conference of the New Patriotic Party in the twin-city of Sekondi-Takoradi, which attracted a large number of supporters from all the 10 regions of the country.
It was expected that the police would have a hectic time controlling the crowd, which had taken over every street corner in the metropolis and danced uncontrollably to irresistible sounds.
In the past, this reporter had noticed during some programmes that had been organised in the metropolis that the police had a hectic time controlling the crowds for the guests to move to the dais to perform their functions.
Amazingly this time round before the arrival of the guests and the teeming supporters started converging on the Takoradi Polytechnic Park, the police had already taken over the area from Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital to Paa Grant Roundabout.
They busily direct both vehicular and human traffic in a professional manner. The interesting part was that the regional commander and his second-in-command did not just give orders, but got on the ground to ensure security.
On many occasions, roads had to be blocked to control traffic when programmes were being held at the Poly park but this time although the park was crowded, there was free movement of traffic.
Many of the people who patronised the event were amazed at the professionalism displayed by the police and expressed the hope that they would continue to display such professionalism in future.
One resident, Mr A. Zowunu, expressed satisfaction with the manner the police exercised their authority for the programme to go on smoothly, although he had never doubted the professional capabilities of the Ghana Police Service.
He said what the police needed was encouragement and being more focused on taking proactive measures instead of being reactive and commended the regional commander for his able leadership.
In a related development, while the people were busy paying attention to what the speakers were saying amidst the Kangaroo dances, pickpockets were busily doing brisk ‘business’ and picking people’s mobile phones.
Detective Chief Inspector Raymond Gai, the officer commanding the temporary station set up at T-Poly, arrested a young man who had allegedly recruited some boys to pick people’s mobile phones while the celebrants were busy relishing the programme.
The detective chief inspector said the police had retrieved about 20 mobile phones and arrested the ring leader, Kwesi Owusu, 34. The police found eight mobile phones on Owusu.
He said some of the victims of the theft had called the very day and come to identify the phones and collected them while others made it to the station the next day to collect theirs.
When this reporter got to the station Chief Inspector Gai was busily controlling and trying to calm other young men who were demanding the release of the suspects to be given mob justice.
Detective Chief Inspector Gai told the young men: “We are very grateful that you arrested them and brought them to the station; that is a perfect thing to do as good citizens, but I am pleading with you to allow the police to take over from here.” These few words from Chief Inspector Gai sent the agitating yound men back and they joined their colleagues in the Kangaroo dance at the rally.

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