A police officer whose identity is not known is currently in cells at the Sekondi Police Headquarters for attempting to take bribe from a private vehicle driver. The Western Regional Police Commander DCOP Kofi Boakye disclosed this to journalists at a news conference in Sekondi where his outfit announced the suspension of an ongoing road traffic regulations enforcement exercise for one week, only for commercial vehicles. The exercise which began on Monday, has forced some private and commercial drivers to park their vehicles, leaving commuters stranded. The Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kofi Boakye explained that the decision is to allow commercial vehicle owners sometime to prepare themselves adequately, since commuters are bearing the brunt of the decision to park their cars. He however said the exercise will still continue for private vehicles and other cargo vehicles. He added that if after one week, all commercial vehicles, particularly “trotro” decide to park, the police will be forced to request for Metro Mass Buses to convey commuters. “It is for Takoradi People to decide whether they are on the side of the law or on the side of lawlessness” he stated. He said the police command will also handle excesses during the exercise disclosing that an officer is in cells for taking a bribe, whiles another driver who also attempted to bribe a police officer is also in cells. If the unlikely event that there is excess we will deal with it. For instance yesterday, one of our boys attempted to collect money from somebody and he is still in cells being charged because I will treat you like ordinary thief. And everybody is knows this here. So discipline is the key,” DCOP Boakye said. Although the ongoing exercise does not include the use of the spot fine, some recalcitrant police officers are taking advantage of this to extort monies from motorists. The Chairman of the Western Regional Ghana Private Road Transport Union, GPRTU, Isaac Essau, has welcomed the suspension but says they will encourage their members to get the necessary documents and tools before the exercise resumes for commercial vehicles. So far 168 drivers of private vehicles have been arrested, out of 98 have been processed for court. The remaining 78 are yet to be processed for court. The fine rages from 150-600 cedis depending on the offense. Meanwhile Maxx News checks at the Western Regional office of the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority shows there is an increase in the number of motorists who are visiting there to renew their licenses and other documents with only two days into the exercise. Dealers in fire extinguishers, Warning triangles and First aid boxes amongst other things, are also recording huge sales. Insurance firms have also confirmed to Maxx News that many motorists are running to them to renew their insurance certificates or acquire new ones.