Work-in-Progress Seminar WIP on “The causes and effects of police brutality in Ghana”

Work-in-Progress Seminar

The Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research (FAAR) at KAIPTC held an internal ‘Work-In-Progress Seminar’

Topic: The causes and effects of police brutality in Ghana
Presenter: Ms. Belinda Lutterodt
Chair: Mr. Devante Duncann
Venue: Conference Room 2
Date: Wednesday 9th September 2020
Time: 1000hrs

Abstract: The police in a democratic society are responsible for the protection of citizens’ lives and properties and maintenance of law and order. Ghana Police Service (GPS) is subject to democratic control and is mandated by the 1992 Constitution of Ghana to perform its traditional role of maintaining law and order. Some perceptions of the public are that the police have not been able to deliver and satisfy the expectations of citizens. Based on this notion, the paper aims to assess the performance of the police in contemporary Ghana. The accusation of human right abuses by some police personnel can be adduced to the unmeritorious recruitment and training of police officers—who are usually deployed to perform duties in the pursuit of protecting citizens. The seeming lack of accountability and professionalism among some police personnel due to factors such as irregular training, dent the image of GPS as an effective institution. This paper seeks to examine the causes of perceived police brutality and to provide insights from the experiences of some Ghanaians. This policy brief interrogates the rebranded institutional culture of GPS and questions its claim of meeting international standards. The paper argues that political interference is a major bane to the professional conduct of police affecting their recruitment, arrest and prosecution of alleged offenders. The paper will conclude that political interference should be reduced to ensure that the knowledge level and competence of the police are considered as per the police regulation and instruction for recruitment.