President John Mahama has stressed that professionalism must guide conduct at every level of the Ghana Police Service (GPS), as he called for a comprehensive reset of the Service to respond to changing realities, strengthen policing, and renew commitment to democratic values.

Speaking at the National Police Headquarters, President Mahama said the reset is intended to reinforce professionalism and align policing with democratic principles, human rights standards, and the expectations of a modern society.

“A reset builds on strengths, addresses weaknesses, and aligns policing with democratic values, human rights standards, and the expectations of a modern society. At the centre of this reset is professionalism. Professionalism must guide our conduct at every level, from leadership to daily interactions with the public,” he said.

The President explained that the call for a reset should not be interpreted as a condemnation of the Service’s past performance, but rather as a forward-looking response to evolving challenges.

“Resetting does not suggest failure, nor does it diminish the proud history of the Ghana Police Service. It recognises that changing realities require adaptation, require reform, and renewed commitment,” he added.

He emphasised that professionalism must be reflected in every aspect of police work, including arrests, investigations, crowd control, and interactions with the public.

“It must be evident in arrests, investigations, in crowd control, and the treatment of suspects, victims, and witnesses. Discipline, respect for due process, and adherence to the rule of law are non-negotiable.”

President Mahama said the police uniform must inspire confidence and reassurance rather than fear, warning that abuse of authority erodes public trust.

“The uniform we wear must symbolise service and protection, not fear or intimidation. Authority exercised without restraint or accountability undermines legitimacy. As president, my vision is for every Ghanaian to feel reassured, not anxious, when they encounter personnel of our Ghana Police Service,” he noted.

He linked professionalism directly to integrity, describing it as the foundation of public trust and cautioning against corruption and abuse of power at all levels.

“Integrity is the moral foundation of public trust. No level of training or logistics can substitute for ethical conduct. Corruption, abuse of power, and indiscipline cannot be tolerated, regardless of rank or height,” he said.

The President also underscored the importance of accountability, describing it as a marker of institutional strength.

“Accountability is not a weakness. It is a mark of institutional strength. When integrity is upheld, confidence grows, and when integrity is compromised, trust is eroded,” he added.

President Mahama assured the Ghana Police Service of continued government support, stressing that public trust must be earned through fairness, transparency, and consistency.

“This government will continue to support the Ghana Police Service in the discharge of your constitutional mandates. Public trust is the most valuable asset in policing. It cannot be demanded. It must be earned through fairness, transparency, and consistency,” he said.

He noted that trust between communities and security agencies improves cooperation and reduces reliance on force.

“Where trust exists, communities thrive, and they become partners to security agencies. Cooperation improves, and the need for the use of force diminishes,” he stated.

President Mahama concluded by expressing appreciation to officers of the Ghana Police Service and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving their welfare, logistics, and professional capacity.