Police launch ‘Operation Father Christmas’ to ensure peace and security during yuletide

The Police Administration has launched the eighth edition of “Operation Father Christmas” to ensure peace and security before, during and after the Christmas festivities.

The Director-General for Operations for Ghana Police Service, Commissioner of Police (COP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare observed, “Operation Father Christmas” which was commenced in 2010, is used to roll out security arrangements to ensure an incident-free Christmas.

COP Dr Akuffo Dampare said this in Accra during a press briefing on the National Policing strategies rolled out to maintain law and order before during and after the festive period.

He said the Ghana Police Service would deploy over 14,200 Police Officers at strategic locations throughout the country to ensure peace and security before, during and after the Christmas festivities.

The deployment forms part of security arrangements being rolled out by the Ghana Police Service towards an incident-free end-of-celebrations.

There shall be 18,000 other personnel, performing traditional police duties, which are indirectly related to the duties for the festive period.

COP Dampare said the Police administration was optimistic that personnel would deliver professionally with the required logistics at hand.

He said the Police was aware of increased activities during the festive occasions, and that, there were several security concerns, including robberies on highways, streets, and residential areas.

He also mentioned burglaries, theft, fraud, pickpocketing, traffic congestion and the unlawful use of firecrackers, which caused fear, panic, and injuries, as issues of public concern.

COP Dampare said considering those security concerns, the Police would provide nationwide law enforcement and traffic management services, adding that, “This shall be accomplished by ensuring the prevention and detection of crimes, protection of lives and property, management of traffic, maintenance of Public order and ensuring the welfare of personnel,” he said.

The Director of Operations of the Ghana Police Service said personnel have been instructed to go the extra mile to manage traffic situations in the major cities, as well as the entry and exit points of the country.

“Despite the fact that a lot has been done to reduce crimes on the highways and other crime-prone roads, especially during market days and other special events, we are deepening our presence on the roads in various forms,” he added.

COP Dampare further mentioned commercial, street and Entertainment Centers, residential areas as some of the places that patrolling would also be intensified.

He said the Police would pursue criminals at their dens, adding that, “Criminals would have no place to hide”.

Source: otecfmghana.com/Antwi Boasiako John