Members of the police hierarchy are mourning the sudden death of one of its top members – the bold and outspoken Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Angwubutoge Awuni.

He died early this morning at the Police Hospital after a short illness.

Family members were at the hospital this morning after they were given the news of his passing.

Joy News’s Kwetey Nartey has been to the Police Hospital where the revered Commander breathed his last and reports that the staff are devastated.

Some officers who spoke to Kwetey said they are surprised and saddened by his death.

Who was DCOP Angwubutoge Awuni?

If there was one thing journalists found difficult about ACP Awuni, then it was the pronunciation of his first name, Angwubutoge.

That name in Gurune or Frafra means speaking boldly without fear or favour. DCOP Awuni lived that name and that was what endeared him to journalists and people who love the truth.

He had a no-nonsense disposition and encouraged those who served under him to do same.

DCOP Awuni has served in diverse roles in the police service. He was one time a key voice at the public relations department of the police service.

He later served as National Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTU) before becoming the first Director when the unit later became a Department.

He also served as police commander in Yendi, Nima, and the Northern Region.

Until his death, he was leading the Eastern Regional Police Command to spearhead Operation ‘Cowleg’ to deal with nomadic herdsmen in the region.

Deputy Regional Police Commander, ACP James Azumah Abass, describes DCOP Awuni as an exceptional police officer.

“His conduct, honesty and idea of policing was quite different from any other person. He spoke his mind and fought corruption with all his zeal and it didn’t matter whose ox was gored. Awuni will put it bluntly to you when were wrong,” he said.

His desire for due process compelled him to order the arrest of former Greater Accra Regional Minister Nii Armah Ashietey in 2012 when he interfered with the registration process.

DCOP Awuni was one police officer who did not shy away from admitting that there was corruption in the police service.

In a service that has challenges with living up to its motto of integrity, DCOP Awuni has demonstrated that in speech and conduct and his colleagues say he will be dearly missed.