Police deploy 14,000 personnel … to ensure public safety during Easter celebrations
A total of 14,000 police personnel are to be deployed from tomorrow across the country for this year’s Easter celebrations, Commissioner of Police (COP) George Alex Mensah, the Director-General of Police Operations, has disclosed.
He said the personnel were selected from units such as the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT), Rapid Deployment Force, Motor Traffic and Transport Department, Counter Terrorism Unit, Highway Patrols, Formed Police Unit, and Marine Police Unit (MPU), among others.
“They would be deployed to areas such as the beaches, convention centres, churches, public places including pubs and restaurants,” he added.
COP Mensah told the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday that out of the total number of personnel to be deployed, 500 of them from the National Police headquarters would be sent to Kwahu to support the Eastern Regional Command during the Easter season.
“Additionally 100 personnel would also be sent to the Ashanti Region to ensure security during the 20 years celebrations of the enstoolment of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene,” he added.
The Director- General said there would be day and night patrols of personnel to ensure safety of people and properties.
COP Mensah said the personnel from the MTTD would ensure free flow of traffic on the roads and the MPU would be sent to the beaches to ensure safety.
He stated that the Police Service would also collaborate with other security agencies such as the Bureau of National Investigations, Ghana National Fire Service and Ambulance Service during their operations.
The Director-General assured Ghanaians that the police were ready in terms of man power and logistics.
He cautioned people who foment trouble to desist from such act stating that they would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
COP Mensah urged the public to make their personal safety a priority, adding that when leaving homes for church programmes endeavour to leave somebody behind.
“Also walk in pairs at night and ensure that all lighting systems in house are functional.” he added.
He encouraged the public to partner the police in crime prevention by reporting to the police questionable characters in the communities.
COP Mensah said the public should contact the Police emergency numbers 191 and 18555 during emergencies.
He called on holiday revellers who go to the beaches to desist from drinking alcohol and swimming, stating such practice result in drowning.
Meanwhile the Commanding Officer of the Central/MTTU, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Anderson Fosu-Ackaah has cautioned drivers to abide by the road safety regulations to prevent road accidents which result in the death of precious lives.
He said personnel have been deployed with equipments on the road to ensure sanity, adding that recalcitrant drivers would be arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.
ACP Fosu- Ackaah urged drivers to desist from speeding, wrongful overtaking, fatigue driving, drunk driving and driving without licence and other valid documents.
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI
