The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare has assured the business community that the Police is in the process of standardizing its operations to position the Service to adequately tackle the forces of change that are driving an upsurge in crimes.

In a speech read on his behalf by Director-General in charge of Police Patrol, COP Paul Manly Awuni, the IGP told members of the Ghana CEO Network at the 7th Ghana CEO Business Cocktail that some of the major drivers of change that the Police Service is engaging include “revolutionary changes in technology and the nature of crime as well as growing indiscipline in society and increased demand for police accountability.

Regarding changes in technology and the nature of crime, Dr. Dampare noted that although developments in technology are largely beneficial, “persons with criminal intentions are applying technology to perpetrate crimes that literally blow the mind.”

He gave the assurance that the Police, on the other hand, are adapting to these forces by leveraging technology to further their operational and organizational challenges.

He informed the gathering that the ICT Directorate is collaborating with Cyber Crime and Interpol Units of the Criminal Investigations Department as well as Police Intelligence Directorate and others to deal with all technology-related challenges.

The IGP further briefed the CEOs about a Traffic Intelligence System at the Police National Operations Centre linked to thousands of cameras at strategic locations. This system, which has several monitors in all 18 police regions are manned around the clock and helping the police bring traffic offenders to book.

Regarding the welfare of officers, Dr. Dampare revealed that an e-medical services program has been tested and will be launched soon to boost the health of police personnel throughout the country, including those in remote and inaccessible areas.

The police chief acknowledged that there is “growing indiscipline in our society and an increasing demand by the public for police accountability.” He embraced the demand for accountability but shunned the surge in indiscipline.

To address the growing trend of indiscipline, the IGP recommended that there is the need for leaders to live by example, do what is right and eschew what is wrong.

He further called for the application of what he calls the “hot stove principle” to curb indiscipline.

“When an electric stove is switched on and the surface plate heats up and becomes red-hot, whoever touches it, be the person a millionaire, pauper, assemblyman or ordinary man, it will burn that person and that is it,” he related. Dr. Dampare quizzed further, “Have you wondered why nobody ever gets burnt by a hot electric stove except by accident?”

Due to the effectiveness of the hot stove principle, the Police Management Board has resolved and are tackling all forms of indiscipline in the country with fairness and firmness.

The Ghana CEO Network Business Cocktail is a unique top-tier social event for high-impact CEO peer networking, sharing of ideas and experiences, exploring business opportunities and partnerships, while building goodwill among CEOs, entrepreneurs, investors, ambassadors, and decision makers from recognized business entities in diverse fields.

Hosted by Ernest De-Graft Egyir, founder and CEO of the Ghana CEO Network, it is a blissful night of live jazz, assorted drinks, canapes, and finger foods.

The 7th edition was powered by the Ghana CEO Network in partnership with Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Joy Business, Santol Energy, Equatorial Coca Cola Company and Universal Motors. Kwarleyz Group, owners and operators of Number One Oxford Street were platinum sponsors of the event.