Ghana Police creates new special unit
A re-organised special unit to serve as a back-up division that will support the work of other operational units within the Ghana Police Service has been inaugurated at the national headquarters in Accra.
Known as the “Formed Police Unit (FPU),” it will, in the main, function as a mobile division that will respond to public disorder situations and maintain law and order.
Formerly called the Armoured Car Squadron (ACS), the FPU will engage in activities such as hostage rescue, counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency, criminal intelligence gathering, house and vehicle search and barricade reconnaissance and removal.
At the launch of the FPU in Accra yesterday, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, said the move was in consonance with the democratic principle of policing
“With the political and socio-economic dynamics of today, coupled with increases in population and law and order challenges, it has become increasingly imperative for the Ghana Police Service to refocus on policing strategies that are in tune with internationally acceptable practices, democratic policing and the rule of law,” he said.
Mr Alhassan said since people all over the world, and Ghana in particular, had become more aware of their democratic rights, it had become a challenge to the police to manage public order events in a way compatible with the demands and dictates of a modern and democratic society.
As part of measures to enhance the skills and expertise of the police force, he said, plans were far advanced for the transformation of the pwalugu recruit training school into a public safety training school.
The school, he said, would train specialised units like the FPU, Special Weapon and Tactical Team (SWAT) and related quick reaction units of the Police Service, to enhance their skills and competencies.
“A number of more training programmes, locally and internationally, are being arranged for you to standardise your practices, procedures and techniques,” Mr Alhassan told personnel.
He, therefore, urged police personnel to take the training programmes seriously in order to discharge their functions in a professional, competent and accountable manner.
Asked what specific duties the FPU was charged to do, the Director General of Operations, Commissioner of Police, Mr John Kudalor, said the FPU would use non-lethal weapons and firearms to control crowd and perform other rescue activities.
Mr Kudalor, however, said the police would not condone any form of violence and would deal with rioters who would engage in acts that would endanger the peace and stability of the country.
A simulation exercise was demonstrated to test the expertise of the special police unit on their readiness to combat and fight criminal activities.
A special unit that will support the work of other operational units within the Ghana Police Service has been inaugurated in Accra.
The force will engage in activities such as hostage rescue, counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency, criminal intelligence gathering, house and vehicle search, barricade reconnaissance and removal.
Its creation forms part of measures to enhance the security of the country.
Source: Daily Graphic