The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, on Tuesday disclosed that plans were underway by the police administration to establish a bank exclusively to servicemen as part of a welfare enhancement programme.

He said feasibility studies were being done and expressed the believed that the strategy would help upgrade and resolve the myriad of financial difficulties bedeviling personnel.

The IGP was addressing Officers and servicemen at Hohoe as part of a working visit to re-affirm the new direction and codes for personnel.

“Police administration is working hard to improve on welfare of personnel especially in the provision of fuel, stationery, accommodation and places of convenience,” he said.

The IGP said the administration had provided 43 boreholes to personnel in deprived areas and constructed 31 toilets in parts of Accra, Tema and the Volta Region.

He said the Police Service was now gaining respect from the public, which otherwise received unwarranted attacks and criticisms due to unprofessional conducts.

The IGP therefore called on servicemen to do self-introspection and assessment towards gaining public confidence and refrain from abuse of rights of suspects, extortion and poor investigation, warning that police administration would descend heavily on erring culprits.

Mr Joseph Gyawu, Hohoe Divisional Commander commended the IGP for his forthrightness and strategies to redeem the sinking image of the profession.

He said the Divisional Command was witnessing reduction in crimes in the catchment area, except with few increases in cases of assault, murder and robberies.

The Divisional Commander said some arrests have been made on a gang of highway robbers terrorising the area, especially fuel stations.

Mr Gyawu said the Division was handicapped in confronting the increasing cases of defilement, indecent and spousal assaults due to the absence of a Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) and appealed for a remedy.

He said the lack of transport to send away retirees after their Service has created the situation where some were still occupying their rooms beyond four years at the barracks and called for an urgent response.