The African Electoral Institute (AEI) has urged the Ghana Police Service to take disciplinary measures against a police officer who was captured in a viral video publicly displaying her political affiliation while in uniform, violating the Service’s laws, regulations, and code of ethics.
In their statement, signed by Joshua Adjin-Adjin Tettey, Director of Communications and External Relations at AEI, they charged the Ghana Police Service to sanction the officer involved, believing that it would serve as a deterrent to other officers and preserve the integrity of the Police Service.
According to the institute, the officer’s actions breach the Police Service Act (Act 350) of 1970, which requires police personnel to remain neutral and impartial in the discharge of their duties.
They stated that the act also prohibits officers from participating in partisan political activities, such as endorsing or supporting political parties while in uniform or on duty.
Additionally, the police code of ethics underscores the importance of neutrality and impartiality, forbidding officers from engaging in activities outside their official duties that could lead to political controversies.
“It is, therefore, unlawful for a police officer, in uniform, to be seen dancing and celebrating with a political party at the Electoral Commission’s office, as this violates the principles of neutrality and impartiality that the officer has sworn to uphold,” they indicated.
The institute condemned the viral video, which shows the officer dancing and celebrating with members of a political party at the Electoral Commission’s office, stating that such actions are unlawful and contradict the professional standards required of officers, especially with the upcoming general elections on December 7, 2024.
