CID asked to investigate fire outbreaks and bomb threats

GNA – The Police administration has charged personnel
of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to elicit information
leading to apprehension of individuals regarding fire outbreaks and bomb
threats in the country.
Mr. Paul Tawiah Quaye, Inspector General of Police (IGP), who gave the
directive, said “We must put our ears on the ground, make judicious use of
our intelligence gathering skills and tap vital information by using our
most trusted informants to stop these fake and ill-intended alarms before a
permanent damage is inflicted on the security image of the country”.
He gave the directive at the annual WASSA, organised by the CID in
Accra on Friday.
Mr. Quaye said bomb scare, threats and the recent abnormal fire
outbreaks affecting both public and private properties were a new
phenomenon, which was creating panic and anxiety among the populace and
required professional solution.
He announced that the Police administration had secured a three-million
European Union (EU) Grant and 12.5 million dollar Spanish Protocol Grant.
Mr. Quaye said four million dollars out of the amount would be used to
purchase Automated Fingerprint and Imaging System for the Criminal Data and
Statistics Bureau of the CID to boost its scientific investigations and
operational effectiveness.
He said the Police administration was negotiating for funds to procure
crime detection equipment that would assist personnel to cope with advancing
technological criminality trends.
“Improvement and refurbishment of our forensic laboratory has also
commenced,” the IGP said.
Mr. Quaye reiterated that “2010 is our year of image redemption” and
called on CID personnel to review the manner in which it treated suspects in
custody and ensure expeditious investigations and strict adherence to the
respect for fundamental and human rights.
Mr. Quaye said they must strictly comply with SI 201 global
professional standard and warned that personnel who would misconduct
themselves would not be shielded.
He said even though the Police Service could not achieve its set
targets for 2009, it had recorded massive improvements to significantly
reduce incidences of robberies and narcotic drugs trafficking.
Mr. Quaye called on the CID to continue to deliver professional
services as efforts were being made to provide the needed facilities.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Frank Adu-Poku, Director of CID,
said with strategic planning and support the unit had successfully
prosecuted 518 cases with 170 convictions while 322 cases were pending.
He said last year, the CID begun retraining programmes on investigative
topics for detectives and would continue this year to enhance investigative
skills of personnel.
DCOP Adu-Poku advised personnel to endeavour to protect the image of
the service.
“As detectives, we must avoid acts, omissions or commissions that would
drag the image of the Police Service in the mud. We should respect the
rights of suspects and be civil to the public for their support and
cooperation, “he said.
GNA