The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has admitted before the Short Commission that victimisation exists in the Ghana Police Service.
He further affirmed that such victimisations do manifest themselves in irregular transfers, delayed promotions among others.
Using himself as an example, he told the Committee Tuesday that he has personally been a victim of such victimisation leading him to stay on his rank as Deputy Commissioner of Police for ten years.
Mr. David Asante Apeatu’s claims to the Short Commission, which is investigating the violence that marred the 31 January by-elections at Ayawaso West Wuogon, was in response to the flourishing menace of vigilantism which the police is struggling to deal with for fear of being victimized.
The menace of vigilantism has been traced to political parties. Admissions before the Short probe indicate that men are hired by political parties during elections to protect their interest.
According to the analyst, as long as the IGP is appointed by the president, the Police Council and other security agencies are constituted by political authorities and police officers who assert their influence will become victims.
But the IGP is urging men in the service not to be daunted by the situation. According to him, once a man is in uniform “you have work to do. If you complain the song in you may not come out.”
He has however urged persons who become victims in the course of executing their professional duties to seek redress at the Police Council or even better, to go to court (even the Supreme Court) to fight their case.