Female police recruits have swept five out of six awards, including marksman, at the second passing out ceremony in 2019 of the National Police Training Academy in Accra.
PW/R Philomena Quansah topped the batch as the most skilled recruit in precision shooting while PW/R Theresa Sarfo-Bonsu who scored 1,568 out of 1,600 was adjudged the best in academic and overall best recruit.
PW/R Ama Boatemaa beat all the 180 recruits in drills to win that award with Cecilia Acheampong emerging as the best in conduct and PW/R Gladys Aheampomaa winning the best in child-friendly policing award.
General recruit clement Amoah won the best in physical training award.
The recruits underwent intensive six months training in child-friendly policing, weapons handling, drill, physical training conduct and discipline among others.
They also took courses in human rights, criminal investigations, criminal law, information and communication technology, practical police duties, criminal procedures, police service instructions, crime scene management, professional policing ethics, intelligence gathering and law of evidence.
Acting Inspector General of Police, James Oppong-Boanuh, was convinced the recruits will apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the best interest of the country.
“You need to adopt positive attitudes and put in a lot of sacrifices, hard work, and dedication to project the image of the Ghana police service. You need to respect the constitutional and civil liberties of the citizenry,” he said.
He observed criminal activities have become sophisticated in recent times and underscored the need for the support of the citizenry in preventing and combating those crimes as the police alone cannot do it.
“The police alone cannot address the security challenges of this country without the effective collaboration and support from the civil populace because effective crime management is anchored of the principle of shared responsibilities between the police and the public it serves,” he said.
He urged the recruits to be demonstrate “integrity, civility, decorum, professionalism, and respect for their dignity and fundamental human rights” in order to win the confidence, support and trust of the citizenry
Probation
The recruits will serve a mandatory probationary period of eighteen-month, during which their performance and conduct would be monitored and assessed.
Those fail their probation will be discharged from the Police Service. ‘
“I therefore caution you to take your probation seriously; exhibit discipline, commitment, dedication, and remain accountable. Bear in mind that you will not be spared if you misconduct yourself,” Mr Oppong Boanuh advised.
The acting IGP said the recruits “will be accountable” for their action taken in the course of their duties, hence asked them to “avoid any form of abuse of power, extortion and unethical conduct”, which could cost them their job.
By Peter Adattor|3news.com|Ghana