A total of One thousand one hundred and forty-one (1,141) police recruits have passed out from the five police training schools across the country which make up the second batch of 2022 recruits who have successfully completed the Basic Police Training programme.
Graduation ceremonies were held in the Nations capital Accra, Koforidua in the Eastern Region; Ho in the Volta Region, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region and Pwalugu in the Upper East. In total, 230, 171, 194, 170 and 211 recruit areas were trained in the regions respectively.
During the six-month training, recruits learned skills in riding, driving, swimming, crowd control, incidents, disasters, crime scene and traffic management, radio communication, intelligence gathering and community-based patrols.
Other programs include charge office management, access control, arrest and search procedures, use of force procedures and human rights, client care and professional police ethics, tactical progression, weapon handling and high-risk operations.
In addition, recruits deserving of honour for their outstanding performance in the fields they emerged in.
A total of 230 recruits compositing of 74 Males and 156 females graduated from the National Police Training School in Tesano, Accra on Friday.
The Director-General of the National Patrols Department, Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr Paul Manly Awini, who oversaw the review of the parade, said the new administration is in a position to ensure that the personnel exhibits internationally Best practices in accordance with the vision of the service.
He said this will improve the ability of the police to control the crowd and maintain law and order in the country.
He also advised the recruits to set a good example so as not to tarnish the reputation of the service.
He said the Police Administration has taken a tough stance to remove miscreants and criminals masquerading as police officers which is contributing to the destruction of the hard-earned reputation of GPS.
COP Awini said emerging crimes, terrorism, cyber-related crimes and changing routines of criminals are some of the challenges that confront the police daily.
This has resulted in increased demand for police personnel to provide more diverse, sophisticated, skilled and specialized services to combat current crime trends.
“To equip police personnel with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively deal with the challenges of modern policing that the IGP, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has introduced a paradigm shift in recruit training modules and a changing focus in policing in the country as a whole,” he said.
The Director General of the National Patrols Department noted that the IGP has Standardised recruit training modules and curriculum, restructuring of recruit training with expanded improved facilities, said.
COP Awini said field training is now given equal weight to practical experience to gain field experience under the strict supervision of cadet officers. “Until now, it is mainly focused on improving recruiters’ knowledge of the applicable law,” he said.
Additionally, he said the demands on the police from the changing crime modes, require special skills to deal with crime in today’s society.
“The global terrorism has become a problem for every country, so police officers have conducted anti-terror training for all recruits to help prevent any attacks experienced by our neighbouring countries,” he said.
COP Paul Manly Awini stressed that it has become imperative to prepare the security personnel to adequately respond to any such threat or attack.
“In view of this, all recruits on parade as part of their basic training were sent to the High-Risk Operation Training School, formerly the Counter-Terrorism Enactment and Concentration Centres at Akanteng in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region, where they were taken through various activities, such as rappelling, mountaineering, jumping from vehicles, firing from moving vehicles to suppress target or take cover, and a host of tactical training to position them to respond appropriately to any attack on the country and to deal with any eventuality”
COP Awini reminded the graduands that the Police Administration recognises the important role that communities play to help deal with all forms of crimes.
“It is said that ‘to every crime that is committed, there is one public eye that sees it”
He charged the public to be prepared to volunteer information on criminals to the Police.
“As Police Officers, the public is our client which includes victims of crime, perpetrators, witnesses and the general members of the public at large. Therefore in dealing with the public, we expect you to exhibit a high sense of professionalism, civility and respect for the general public”
COP Awini noted that such a move will undoubtedly win the confidence and trust of the public adding that it will push the public to release requisite information and support in order to discharge its mandate effectively.
COP Awini congratulated the recruits and warned that the Police Administration will not tolerate any act of bribery, extortion, corruption and violence by officers.
Awards
In Accra, PW/R. Gifty Boahemaa Kwapong emerged as the Overall Best Recruit and overall Best in Academics at NPTS and was awarded a Baton of Honour for her performance.
General Recruit Samuel Adu Benchi was recognized as the Best Graduating Recruit Policeman for the Training School.
PW/R. Agyeiwaa Esther emerged as the Best in Drill, PW/R Appiah Theresah best in CO’s Award, G/R. Bawa Issah Amankwah Best in Swimming, G/R Barnabas Awuni Felix Best in Riding, G/R Tenkorang A. Mensah Aaron Best in Driving, G/R Soalah Nurudeen Mohammed, Best in Conduct, G/R Sunday Azundow, Best in Physical Training, G/R Abdul Karim, Marksman were the other awardees.