Security expert Emmanuel Kotin has described the Ghana Police Service under the former Inspector General as a troubled institution, pointing to administrative missteps, lack of transparency, and growing dissatisfaction among officers.
Speaking on 3FM with Johnny Hughes, Kotin asserted that while the president’s decision to remove the IGP was routine and within his powers, the reaction from police officers signaled deeper issues.
“Every police officer has the potential to rise to the rank of IGP. It’s an opportunity, not a privilege. However, what surprises me is the overwhelming celebrations we are seeing among officers following his removal,” he said.
He revealed that many officers had switched to wearing white in a jubilant mood across several police stations, signaling that all was not well under the previous leadership.
Beyond the celebrations, Kotin criticized specific policies that, in his view, negatively affected both officers and national security. One such issue was the centralization of communication, where regional commanders were reportedly unable to speak on crime-related matters without approval from the national headquarters.
“If a crime happened in Tamale, for instance, until an official statement was issued from Accra, the local commander couldn’t address it. That goes against the principles of democracy and efficient policing,” he explained.
He also condemned the mismanagement of police welfare funds, which affected officers seeking financial assistance, particularly those returning from peacekeeping missions.
Another major concern Kotin highlighted was the absence of crime statistics under the former IGP’s leadership. “Crime statistics are essential for policy formulation, yet we had none under him. That’s a major setback,” he argued.
Furthermore, he mentioned that allegations of extrajudicial killings under the IGP’s tenure raised serious concerns, particularly when police officers themselves were willing to testify before Parliament.
On the way forward, Kotin urged the new IGP to restore internal confidence within the service, improve data transparency, and ensure the police work in the best interest of the public.
“This isn’t just about one person’s removal. The institution itself needs reforms, and the new leadership has to be up to the task,” he concluded.
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