CCTV Cameras To Capture Bribe-Taking Policemen - Ag. IGP   11-Mar-2013

Mr. Mohammed Alhassan, the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), has hinted that the police administration is working around the clock to improve its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) system to be able to capture policemen at various road checkpoints who involve in illegal activities. According to the IGP, the move is to restore the enviable reputation of the service and also regain public confidence. The CCTV cameras, he said, would be able to capture police officers on duty live on the road, as well as drivers, who breach the road safety rules and regulation by jumping the red light at traffic. Mr. Alhassan disclosed this during a familiarization duty tour of the Western Corridor road on last week. Accompanied by high ranking officers from the police headquarters in Accra, the national commanding officer of the Motor, Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU), and the Central Regional police command, the acting IGP cautioned police on the Western Corridor road to improve their working attitude, especially their relation with public. He also promised to equip the MTTU with modern equipment and necessary logistics to handle road safety issues to reduce accidents on that stretch of the road. The IGP also advised drivers, especially those who go on long journeys, to have co-drivers to assist them when they need a rest to eliminate the fatigue-driving and other unacceptable behaviors on the road. The tour took the IGP to Kasoa, Winneba, Apam junction, Elmina and the Western Gate roads of the University of Cape Coast, where he had a durbar with various stakeholders in the transport sector whom he advised to take interest in road safety regulations and education. However, the head of Research, Education and Training of the MTTU, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Alexander Kweku Obeng, told The Enquirer that the move to monitor police on checkpoint duty on cameras would go a long way to instill sanity and competence in the police service. He said, officers who go on the roadside to maintain law and order, but end up doing something contrary to the police ethics would be caught on those cameras and dealt with per the police disciplinary laws. Beside the police, DSP Obeng said, unqualified drivers, rickety vehicles, persons driving on speed or high level of alcohol would also be captured by the cameras and used as evidence when offending police officers or drivers attempt to defend their action, adding that the cameras would be capturing the blind side of officers or drivers. He, however, advised drivers to obey the road safety rules and regulations and drive carefully on the road, especially during the upcoming Easter festivities.