The Acting Director-General of the Ghana Police Service’s Public Affairs Directorate has urged members of the general public to desist from paying off or bribing officers when they breach road traffic regulations.

Individuals found engaging in such unlawful acts, ACP Kwesi Ofori said will be penalised in accordance with the law.

ACP Kwesi Ofori, interacting with host of Newsfile, Samson Lardy Anyenini, stated that the current administration headed by Inspector General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare is keen to ensure corrupt practices in the country cease.

“We are aspiring to make our nation great and strong. The giver and taker should be punished by law. I believe that the law has spoken well of it. Looking at what is happening in the police, our new IGP has rolled out so many programmes and during his visit, he noted anti corruption is one of his visions to ensure we detach ourselves from such unholy practices,” he said on Saturday.

“I can assure you that the new wave in the police service is trying to beat down and do away with corrupt practices. And the IGP is very stern on it, members of the police administration are committed to it. We are gradually making sure we sensitized our personnel and at the same time, encourage members of the public not to give money to the police on our streets,” ACP Kwesi Ofori added.

According to legal practitioner, Samson Lardy Anyenini citizens who pay off or bribe police personnel are susceptible to 12 years imprisonment minimum. The police officer in question is liable to 12 to 25 years imprisonment for receiving bribe.

Meanwhile, ACP Kwesi Ofori has entreated the public to throw their weight behind the new administration to ensure that “we weed out corruption and its traits within the service and stay more focused in security delivery and excellence.”

On the other hand, President Akufo-Addo has charged the newly constituted council of the Ghana Police Service to discharge their mandate effectively.

This he said will aid the IGP to build a police service that is accountable, transparent, trustworthy, respectful of fundamental human rights and accommodates the concerns of the public.