BRAVO, POLICE (JULY 15, 2009)

LAST Monday the police engaged a group of armed robbers in a shoot-out believed to be the single biggest operation against armed robbery in the country.
In the process, eight armed robbers, all suspected to be of Fulani extraction, died when they were confronted by a team from the Police Buffalo Unit at Anwiankwanta on the Kumasi-Bekwai road in the Ashanti Region.
The successful operation by the police vindicates the position of the DAILY GRAPHIC that efforts by the security agencies will yield the desired results if the public volunteers information on the activities of armed robbers and other criminal elements in society.
The police were able to move swiftly to the crime scene following a tip-off that some armed robbers had blocked the road and were robbing occupants of vehicles of their belongings.
Our security agencies have won international recognition for the professional manner in which they conduct themselves during peacekeeping operations and other duties.
Even locally, many Ghanaians are proud of the professional conduct of majority of the security personnel who have worked hard to maintain law and order, as well as the stability of the country.
The DAILY GRAPHIC suggests to the Police Administration and the Military High Command to work out a mechanism to constantly reward those who try to uphold the professional integrity of the security agencies and sanction those who connive with criminals to make life unbearable for the people.
Unless we name and shame, it will be difficult to motivate hardworking people to continue to sacrifice and serve as role models in society to encourage others to strive for excellence or outstanding performance.
The DAILY GRAPHIC concedes that the responsibility for crime combat rests largely on the shoulders of the security agencies.
However, it is about time the security agencies, especially the police, put in place a reward system for communities that assist police personnel to locate the hideouts of criminals. Neighbourhood watch committees should be adequately resourced and areas without such committees should be encouraged to form them to complement the operations of security personnel, especially those on night patrols.
Meanwhile, the collaboration between the police and the public will not yield fruitful results if the criminal justice system fails to punish offenders to serve as a deterrent to others.
On behalf of the entire society, the DAILY GRAPHIC wishes the security agencies success in their latest endeavours to take the fight to the backyard of armed robbers.
The DAILY GRAPHIC also commends the security agencies for their latest resolve to make life uncomfortable for all criminal elements in the country.
While commending the police for their latest demonstration of bravado against the armed robbers, we add our voice to calls on medical facilities to hand over people with suspected gunshot wounds to the police.
The DAILY GRAPHIC associates itself with the optimism of the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commander of Police (DCOP) Patrick Timbilla, that the fight against violent crime was on track and “there is no turning back”.
If the police sustain the fight against criminals, members of the public will be encouraged to support the police. The success of the battle against crime lies in police-public collaboration.