ACP Francis Tsidi addressing personnel
A workshop on law enforcement and client care
with special emphasis on the vulnerable in society has been organized for
police personnel from the Kpeshie divisional police command.
The workshop, organized by the divisional
commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Francis Tsidi, with support
from the Ghana West Africa Programme to Combat HIV and STI, was attended by 70
detectives including station officers and personnel from Domestic Violence and
Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), Kpeshie.
Addressing the personnel, ACP Tsidi said the
workshop was organized for the detective within his jurisdiction to better
handle suspects, victims, witnesses and informants in the discharge of their
duties.
He said every business entity had a definition
for its customers but in law enforcement, the protection of life and property
requires a very different model of customer service.
“The customers of law enforcement are often
witnesses or victims of crimes that are requesting the service of the police
during or after, what could be highly emotional or traumatic event.”
Adding, he noted that it was the duty of every
police officer to be polite to all customers since politeness was almost a lost
art in the service.
“Using good manners is appropriate and endeavor
to be professional at all levels,” he admonished the personnel.
The Kpeshie Divisional Police Commander urged
personnel to work hard to restore the image of the service by increasing the
public confidence in the service.
“Public confidence in the police, lowers
complaint rates and lower costs associated with complaints management, more
efficient court proceedings and a positive impact on law and order and general rate
of crime in the country.”
Mr Tsidi averred that “it also increases the
willingness of victims of abuse in the community to seek assistance from the
police.”
Adding his voice the divisional crime officer,
Superintendent Emmanuel Agboda, urged the detectives to always refer difficult
clients to senior or superior officers for redress.
“If a customer proves difficult, remain calm,
reassuring approach will generally disarm even the most difficult of clients
and realign the situation.”
(lindatenyah@gmail.com)
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey
