The Police Administration is to organise intensive Communication Skills Development Programme for police personnel this year.
The programme as part of its re-tooling process would begin with personnel from Central Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of Ghana Police Service and gradually cover the 1,648 MTTU personnel nationwide.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Daniel Avorgah, National MTTU Commander, announced this when addressing 55 personnel of Tema Regional MTTU during a working visit in Tema on Thursday.
He said they would be sensitized on effective communication practices between them and road users especially drivers to justify public trust in the police.
ACP Avorgah deplored the unprofessional acts of issuing threats, insulting and shouting at drivers because such acts created conflicts between the police and the public and reminded the police to discharge their duties professionally.
He advised the police to refrain from demanding and accepting bribes from the public since the Police Service had been perceived to be the most corrupt institution in the country due to the unprofessional attitudes of some few personnel.
ACP Avorgah called on senior police officers to discipline their subordinates because such laxities allowed junior personnel to behave unprofessionally.
He appealed to managements of insurance companies and other stakeholders to adequately resource the police training centre to enable them effectively sensitize the personnel.
At a meeting with drivers and transport unions at Mankoadze lorry station, ACP Avorgah, called on drivers to maintain a cordial relationship with the police to avert clashes as the Ashaiman incident that claimed two lives.
He advised them not to take advantage in the reduction of fines imposed by the courts on motor traffic offences to increase the rate of accidents in the country.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) John Kudalor, Tema Regional Police Commander called on the police to discharge their duties professionally and assured the drivers that their grievances would be properly investigated when channelled through the appropriate authorities.
The drivers appealed for enough bus stops at strategic areas in the Tema Metropolis to prevent commercial drivers from stopping at unauthorized places and end misunderstanding between drivers and the police.
