Accra,(Greater Accra Region) 14 Oct. The Police Administration today expressed concern about the increase in crime wave in the country and called for public support to combat it. Mr. Peter Nanfuri, Inspector General of Police (IGP), at a press conference in Accra, urged the judiciary to play a complementary role in reducing crime by expediting action on criminal cases brought before it. “The police will play its part. I am sure the cooperation of the public will also be forth coming. “Above all, the police hope the judiciary will also act to send a clear signal to the criminals when they are arrested,” Mr. Nanfuri said. The IGP said in some cases, the public has been frustrated by the manner in which some criminal cases have been handled by the courts. This, he said, could undermine efforts of the police in winning the public’s cooperation and confidence in fighting crime. Mr. Nanfuri said no matter how dedicated, vigilant and well- equipped the police may be, their efforts to reduce crime would be limited without the active cooperation of the public. Public support and collaboration is an essential ingredient in crime prevention and detection. “This is why the police introduced the neighbourhood watch concept to forge a police-public partnership in combating crime”. Surrounded by the top echelon of his administration, the IGP said he is worried about the attitude of some police personnel towards those who approach them with useful information. Mr. Nanfuri noted that sometimes persons with such useful information end up being treated as if they are the criminals. The IGP said internal measures have been instituted to protect such informants and urged the public to trust the police with such information.
