Immediate past Inspector General of Police, John Kudalor has charged his successor to create the enabling environment for Ghanaians to trust police officers.

He said the citizens would be free to conduct their activities without fear if persons mandated to protect them go about their duties with the professionalism that it requires.

Interacting with the media minutes after he met President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to announce his retirement, the police chief said he would assist his successor to protect the peace in the country.

The President has announced Commissioner of Police (COP), David Asante Appeatu to act as the new IGP pending approval by the yet to be constituted Council of State.

The COP’s elevation comes days after governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters went on rampage seizing state institutions and driving out public workers.

New IGP Commissioner of Police (COP), David Asante Appeatu

Mr Kudalor has received some backlash for arresting 16 persons in connection with destructions caused across the country after the NPP was declared winner of the Presidential poll in the December 7, 2016 elections.

NPP Deputy General Secretary, Nana Obiri Boahen told the media in January that the police were arresting NPP supporters, an act he said could not have happened under the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

He called on the police to be even-handed in their dealing with crime in the country, adding some suspected National Democratic Congress (NDC) members alleged to have stoned the residence of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should also face the law.

The police have maintained they are not being selective in the arrest of persons believed to have been involved in election related violence in the country.

The new IGP therefore comes at a time when there is heightened displeasure for police officers in the country. However the president expects a new vision and image for the police service and has charged COP Apeatu to lead that vision.