The first batch of 3,000 Community Policing Assistants(CPA) is to be deployed across the country to enhance security.
Director-General in-charge of the National Patrol Department (NPD) COP Yaagy Akuriba said the youth, who are under the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), are to assist at least two regular police officers in the various electoral areas to combat crime.
COP further stated that the Ghana Police Service initially asked the YEA for 36,000 CPAs to be employed for them, but the YEA could only employ 15,000 CPAs, adding they have already trained 3,000.
He said under the model, which would be operational in all 6,000 electoral areas in the country, CPAs would work with two regular police officers in the communities.
This, according to him, would ensure security and order in the electoral areas.
COP Akuriba made these known while addressing police officers in the Tema Region of the Greater Accra Region under the theme, ‘Innovation of the Community Policing Assistants and the responsibilities of District Commanders at Community Centres in Tema.’
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COP Akuriba explained to the gathering that the CPA model has been in existence since 2006 but has been restructured to make the CPAs effective and efficient.
According to him, the CPAs have been equipped with communication and observation skills and are being recruited in their localities to be able to provide the police with vital information to tackle crime.
He said that CPAs are not to effect arrests in the absence of police officers.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) George Tuffour, Tema Regional Police Commander, was happy Tema was adjudged the best among the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the country in terms of security.
“Though petty crime cannot be totally eliminated in society, a crime such as robbery, murder and other heinous crime, have reduced by about 75 percent in the Tema Region.â€
 www.primenwesghana.com/ Ghana News