3 POLICEMEN IN BAWKU QUIZZED (D/G Tuesday August 26, 2008 PAGE 20)

THE Police Administration has interrogated three of its men stationed at the Bawku District Police Station for allegedly doing acts contrary to the ethics of the profession.
The three, two males and a female (names withheld), were alleged to have conspired with a civilian, whose name was given only as Nana, to steal three out of a nnumber of bales of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, which were kept at the Bawku District Police Charge office.
A police source at Bawku told the Daily Graphic that the Police Administration was investigating the matter and if they were found culpable, they would be dismissed.
The source said on August 7, 2008, police personnel on duty at a police checkpoint at Bawku, intercepted a Kumasi-Bawku bound vehicle with registration number GR 1446 N.
He said a search on the vehicle uncovered six bales of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
According to the source, the bales were sent to the charge office of the Bawku District Police Headquarters for safe-keeping.
The Daily Graphic learnt that during routine inspection it was detected that three out of the six bales had been exchanged with three fertiliser sacks containing pieces of cloth.
Initial investigation led to the arrest of three policemen.
Meanwhile, the civilian identified as Nana is still at large, while the real owner of the goods is said to be on remand.
An inmate who witnessed the act was said to have reported the three policemen to their senior officers after they had reneged on a promise to pay him GH¢200.
When contacted, the Upper East Regional Police Commander, Ofosu Mensah Gyeeavour, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) confirmed the story but stated that the Regional Police Command was still investigating the matter after which appropriate actions would be taken against the culprits if they were found culpable.