The Police were on Friday entreated to approach the December 2008 elections duties with zeal, vision, loyalty and commitment, to ensure peaceful and successful elections. “The citizenry looks up to the Police for their safety and security before, during and after the elections and we dare not fail our dear nation”. Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Joana Osei-Poku, Director-General in charge of Human Resource Development, said this, after she had reviewed a passing out parade of 65 Police recruits at the Pwalugu Police Training School, near Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. She said however that, the Police could not do it alone and called upon all to avoid violence and acts that tend to breach the peace. She cautioned the Police against criminal acts like extortion of money from drivers, the travelling public, cheating of unsuspecting persons, masquerading as land guards, dabbling in civil litigation and chieftaincy matters. “The present Police Administration has no place for Policemen and women whose conduct and general performance draw the name of the service into disrepute”, she cautioned. She noted that a responsible Police Service must have deep respect for human rights and not engage in acts that tend to trample on the rights and freedoms of individuals in the society. The commissioner of Police stated that the public had become more critical and demanding and expected a Police Service that is efficient, effective and incorruptible, accountable and above all responsive to their needs. Mrs. Osei-Poku said the Police would continue to wage war on violent crime, especially armed robbery and called on the public to give information to the Police that would lead to the arrest of criminal syndicates. She said the police had formed a Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Bureau (PIPS) to enforce best Police practices and urged persons who had complaints against Police Officers, who misconduct themselves, to seek redress at the unit or to the Commanders, under whom such Officers served. The Commissioner of Police told the recruits that they would be on probation for 18 months and work under senior Officers, whom they were expected to understudy and learn from them. “Your performance would be assessed by the respective Commanders you would be assigned to, during this period. You are therefore expected to put into practice what you learnt during the six months training and work hard to merit confirmation.” The Recruits studied, Criminal Investigation, Law of Evidence, Professional Police Duties, Domestic Violence, Social Psychology and Police Ethics. Ms. Martina Atampia was adjudged the overall best recruit and received a Baton of Honour. Other best performing recruits were, Evans Owusu Ansah, Marksman, Opare Asiam, Conduct, George Dadzie, Drill and Frank Asante, Physical Training. Source: GNA