The Ghana Police Service is among the most stressed institutions in the country, a retired police officer has claimed.
According to Chief Inspector Edward Afful, stressful behaviours and conditions of police officers in the country is the cause of most brutalities in the country.
He warned of dire consequences on personnel if nothing is done about the situation.
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Chief Inspector Afful’s revelations come after Patience Osafo, 36, was assaulted and battered by an armed police officer last Thursday at the banking hall of Midland Savings and Loans Company where she had gone to cash her savings.
The incident has received widespread condemnation from Ghanaians including the police administration, which has since arrested the officer, Frederick Amanor.
The presidency has also condemned the incident.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Morning Show Dwaso Nsem Monday, Chief Inspector Afful said though the police officer’s conduct was condemnable, he believes the welfare of police personnel must be taken seriously.
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“The policeman’s actions are very bad and we won’t praise him. What he did was very bad and does not speak well of a police officer who has sworn to protect the lives of citizens.
“I believe the police officer will not just get up and attack a woman if he is not under any form of stress. I think many police officers are stressed and the earlier we checked that the better. Better still, their psychological statuses should be checked”, he said.
“This is a person who isn’t in the right frame of mind and has been given access to a weapon, therefore, the thought of him finishing what he actually intended doing becomes easier”.
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Chief Inspector Afful, appealed to the Inspector General of Police to stop the practice of politicians packing the service with their party members.
According to him, such practices have contributed to the discipline challenges faced by the service over the years.