Members of the Neighborhood Watch Committees in the Ashanti Region say their lives are under threat as some police officers continue to leak information to criminals within the communities they operate.
The leadership of the committees alleged that some police officers give out information provided to them by its members to criminals who then threaten and harass them.
According to them, police officers, in some instances, free suspects who are arrested and brought to the police station by the members of the Committees without allowing the law to deal with them.
The concern was raised when the Ashanti Regional Police Commander met over 800 members of 26 registered Neighborhood Watch Committees from the Districts and Municipalities within the Ashanti Region.
The meeting was to, among other things, address the challenges members of the committee face in their operations.
Issues discussed at the meeting included the provision of uniforms, identity cards and how they could collaborate with the police to fight crime.
The Neighborhood Watch Committee concept is an initiative by Chiefs, Assembly and Unit Committee members as well as the members of the communities.
Some of the members cited instances where police officers freed suspects or leaked information to suspects – a development they say puts their lives in danger.
One of the members who was attacked recounted that “Sometimes some police officers leak the information we give to them to these criminals. When this happens the lives of the committee members are usually under threat. Just recently, I reported some suspects who were arrested and freed by the police within the twinkle of an eye. The suspects after their release came with machetes and threatened to kill me”.
National Chairman of the Neighborhood Watch Committee, Faisal Alhassan, who was also at the meeting said some police officers do not cooperate with their members to help fight crime.
He appealed to the Ashanti Regional Police Command to address such concerns to enable members of the committee to contribute their quota.
Mr Faisal also cautioned members of the committee to be law abiding in the discharge of their duties.
Police commander pledges support
The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, COP Ken Yeboah gave assurances that the command would work towards addressing the concerns raised by members of the Neighborhood Watch Committee.
He said he will soon meet all Divisional and District Police Commanders in the region to discuss the concerns put forward by members of the committee.
COP Yeboah also admonished members of the committee to be circumspect in handling and sharing information.
The police chief also warned that he will deal with any member of the Neighborhood Watch Committee who uses their privilege to engage in criminal activities.
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By: Hafiz Tijani/Citinewsroom.com/Ghana