The National Youth Organiser of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Mark Ewusi Arkoh, has urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, to as a matter of urgency partner leading security experts in providing a specialised training programme for officers who escort bullion vans.
“This programme should aim at equipping these officers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and techniques to spot and respond to potential threats, effectively manage critical incidents, and minimize risks to both the convoy and the public,” he said in a statement on Saturday, June 24.
This follows the shooting to death of a police officer at Ablekuma Fan Milk on Thursday, June 22 by some armed robbers.
They had targeted a bullion van which had gone to the Star Oil Filling Station for the day’s sales.
Mr Ewusi Arkoh insists that the assignment of escorting bullion vans is highly sensitive and so the Ghana Police Service “should be committed to ensuring that their officers are well-prepared and well-equipped to perform their duties with the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and accountability”.
Find the full statement below:
PARTNER SECURITY EXPERTS TO PROVIDE SPECIAL TRAINING FOR VALUABLE CONVOY OFFICERS
As part of Ghana Police’s ongoing efforts to enhance the safety and security of bullion vans during transportation, I will urge the police department to recognize the need to provide special training for its officers who are tasked with escorting these valuable convoys.
In recent years, the frequency and severity of attacks on bullion vans have heightened, and the service must take proactive measures to prevent these assaults from happening and to protect innocent lives.
The Police service should as a matter of urgency partner with leading security experts to develop a specialized training program for their officers who escort bullion vans. This program should aim at equipping these officers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and techniques to spot and respond to potential threats, effectively manage critical incidents, and minimize risks to both the convoy and the public.
The training modules should cover a broad range of topics, including situational awareness and tactical communication.Special emphasis should be given to developing a proactive mindset and working in close collaboration with other law enforcement and emergency services agencies.
The police service should consider establishing a culture of continuous learning, improvement, and readiness among its officers and to build public confidence in the security and integrity of bullion transportation.
I understand that the assignment of escorting bullion vans is highly sensitive and critical, and they (Ghana Police) should be committed to ensuring that their officers are well-prepared and well-equipped to perform their duties with the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and accountability.