By Gifty Amofa

Accra, October 11, GNA – Graduate chief inspectors who were excluded from a special promotion amnesty in 2021 have alleged that proper procedures were neglected during the process.

They informed a human rights court in Accra that the amnesty, which promoted some junior staff, violated the Constitutional Instruments (CI) 76 and the Police Service Regulations 2012, leading to their no -promotion.

Chief Inspector Christopher Okpata, the first complainant in a suit against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney General (AG), said during cross-examination at the Human Rights Court that the CI 76 does not mention anything about amnesty.

Mr Kwaku Boakye Boateng, representing the accused, asked whether the complainant recognized that CI 76 established the Police Council, which determines the appropriate rank.

Chief Inspector Okpata affirmed this but clarified that “our case is quite different from that of CI 76, where amnesty was granted”.

“Are you aware that under IC 76, officers of the Service are classified as junior and senior officers? » asked Mr. Boateng.

Chief Inspector Okpata replied: “My lord, yes, but in our case CI 76 was canceled and amnesty was granted; there is nothing on amnesty in IC 76.”

Mr Boateng then asked: “Junior ranks range from Constable to Chief Inspector, and senior ranks range from Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) to Inspector General of Police? Chief Inspector Okpata confirmed this.

Mr Boateng sought to confirm whether the complainant was aware that CI 76 outlined the appointing authorities for each rank in the police service, which the complainant accepted.

He explained that in their case, CI 76 was not used to establish such authority.

When Mr Boateng asked whether junior officers were appointed by the Police Appointment and Promotion Commission, the complainant confirmed that this was correct.

“From the ranks of the ASP to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (ACOP or ACP), they are appointed by the Appointing Authority in consultation with the Police Council; is this correct? » asked Mr Boateng, to which the complainant confirmed.

Mr Boateng further said that the appointment of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) to the IGP is made by the President with the advice of the Police Council. Chief Inspector Okpata denied this, clarifying that it is the ACOPs and Commissioners of Police who are appointed by the President in consultation with the Police Council.

In a suit filed by the affected police officers in the High Court, presided over by Justice Frederick Tetteh, the officers said that on February 8, 2021, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) issued directives to commanders ordering that personnel police training schools on or before December 31, 2008, and who had graduated by December 31, 2020, were required to submit certified copies of their diplomas to headquarters by February 26, 2021, for a special exercise.

The affected personnel complied with these directives and on July 23, 2021, a series of special administrative promotions were announced by the IGP under a special amnesty.

Under the special amnesty, corporal generals received a one-step promotion with three incremental jumps, advancing them to the rank of sergeants effective July 21, 2021.

Sergeant Generals received a similar one-step promotion with three incremental jumps, moving them to the rank of inspectors effective July 7, 2021.

The inspectors were promoted to chief inspectors; however, the plaintiffs, who were chief inspectors, were stripped of their senior rank, leaving them at par with their junior counterparts.

The complainants first petitioned the Inspector General of Police, the former Minister of Interior and the Vice President, but did not receive a favorable response.

As a result, they filed a suit in the High Court.

The matter is currently at the hearing stage and has been adjourned to Thursday October 10, 2024.

The suit seeks, among other things, that the court order the Service to promote the plaintiffs under the special amnesty, granting them a step with three additional credits to the rank of deputy superintendent of police, at like the promotions received by their cadets.

They argue that they should also receive a special amnesty with additional credits that would allow them to enter directly into the Police Academy, especially since others received credits that facilitated their promotion to higher ranks. higher grades.

The plaintiffs say they feel demoralized because their long service has not been adequately recognized, while those with much less seniority have been generously rewarded.

GNA