A retired Police officer has stated that becoming a police officer is a calling, thus requires one to have all it takes to perform effectively in the Police Service.

Speaking on the AM Show Wednesday, Peter Lanchene Toobu said “If you are not supposed to wear the police uniform and you go in there because of protocol, one, either you die on the job or you kill people recklessly. Policing is a calling.”

The Wa West MP, who was contributing to discussions on the recent surge in robbery cases in the country warned against the recruitment of unqualified individuals into the Ghana Police Service based on political affiliation.

Mr Toobu opined that the difficulties in curbing the menace of armed robbery results from ill-prepared police officials being made to deal with security challenges facing the country. 

He stated that using dubious means to recruit personnel into the sector will not only compromise state security but also endanger the lives of the populace.

His comment comes on the back of the recent murder of police officials in their line of duty.

On Monday, June 14, a robbery incident involving an attack on a bullion van at Adedenkpo, a suburb of James Town in Accra on Monday, resulted in the death of a police officer and a hawker.

According to an eyewitness, the police officer, Emmanuel Osei was providing security for the van when he met his untimely death.

In the same vein, a policeman was killed while on escort duty on the Adansi Fomena road in the Ashanti Region on May 15.

The armed men, numbering about 10, allegedly shot Lance Corporal Martin Babah during an attack on the bullion van he was escorting.

The gruesome killing of police personnel coupled with the surge in daylight robberies in the country has since triggered some concerns about the sudden spate of insecurity.

To enroll into the Ghana Police Service on merit, an individual must meet set requirements:

• Be Ghanaian by birth.
• Must not be less than 18 years and not more than 25 years of age with a height of [173cm or 5.8ft for males and 165cm or 5.4ft for females].
• Must have required grades in the WASSCE.
• Applicants must have clean criminal record
• Must be medically fit by Police standards.
• Must be of good character.
• Be able to speak and write in fluent English Language

Personal traits that makes a police officer excel in his duties include:

• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving skills
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Strong moral character
• Devotion to community
• Compassion & empathy
• Integrity
• Eagerness to learn
• Mental agility

However, Mr Lanchene Toobu intimated that some persons who do not qualify are recruited due to their political affiliations.

According to him, "recruitment of police personnel has become political with some top government officials using the Police Service as a dumping ground for unqualified party faithful."