Accra: The reactivation of police Public Relations Offices at the regional levels is expected to restore and enhance public trust and confidence in the police's ability to combat crime, according to Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, an international human rights activist.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Ahenu commended the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, for lifting restrictions on police spokespersons at various Regional Commands. These restrictions, imposed by former IGP Dr George Akuffo Dampare, had limited the interaction between police spokespersons and the media.
Mr Ahenu, who is also the Founder and CEO of the Sunyani-based Global Media Foundation (GloMeF), praised the new police administration for its move to enhance police-civilian relations. He emphasized that modern policing and crime combat are collective responsibilities, and removing these restrictions will allow informants to provide crucial information about suspicious individuals in society.
He stated that the reactivation of these offices signifies a pivotal shift in the police service towards building and strengthening police-civilian relationships in fighting crime. He also noted the importance of maintaining open communication lines between the police and the public, with public relations offices serving as the essential bridge.
Mr Ahenu further remarked that by reinstating these offices, IGP Yohuno has shown a commitment to transparency, accountability, and society-oriented policing. He highlighted the negative impacts of the previous closure of these offices, which included misinformation and suspicion.
Stressing the importance of a structured communication framework, Mr Ahenu noted that the reactivation of the PR offices has proven effective in rebuilding public trust. However, he also pointed out the need for continuous training of police PROs to meet contemporary communication demands.