The Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery has directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to provide officers of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) with protective gears and arms to protect their lives.
According to him, the recent killing of police officers from the Kasoa MTTD and elsewhere is a wake-up call for the service.
Speaking to Citi News after visiting families of Lance Corporal Mohammed Awal and Sargent Michael Dameshi who were killed in the line of duty at Gomoa Budumburam, the Minister said the directive is to enable the MTTD officers to exercise their right to self-defence.
“The police will be provided with bulletproof equipment, vests and helmets to enable the police to exercise their right to self-defence effectively. So, the directive is that from now we would make sure that our police on traffic duties are armed. Not only should they defend themselves but they must be equipped to deal with violent crimes when it comes their way. The IGP has been ordered now and I know he is going to do a good job to make sure that what happened to the police officers do not happen to other police who are on traffic duty.”
On his part, the Acting IGP James Oppong Boanuh, also indicated that the administration will provide a congenial atmosphere for police officers to work.
He added that necessary protective gears will be made available to police officers across the country to protect themselves.
“These were unarmed officers. It has not been the policy of the Ghana Police Service to arm our Motor Traffic and Transport Department officers because we have felt that our country is safe. In other jurisdictions, motor police officers are armed as all other officers who have any contact with the public. [They ensure that] every police officer who is going on the street is armed.”
In our situation, we have not found it necessary to arm our officers. That is why when someone shoots and kills an officer who is not holding a weapon we must all come together. Today I expect all Ghanaians to stand with the Ghana Police Service against these criminals who harm innocent officers. It is said that desperate situations call for desperate measures, and so we will use all strategies to ensure that these killings end,” he assured.
The two officers on Wednesday lost their lives when occupants of a vehicle they signalled to stop opened fire on them along the Kasoa to Budumburam stretch.
So far three suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of the officers.
Police in the Central Region also said efforts are being made to arrest a fourth suspect in connection with the crime.
The vehicle involved in the crime has been impounded to help with police investigations.
