Professor Justice Tankebe, a criminology and criminal justice expert at the University of Cambridge, has raised alarms over a significant drop in the conviction rate of police officers undergoing disciplinary proceedings under the tenure of former Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
According to Prof. Tankebe, data indicates that the conviction rate of officers found culpable in disciplinary hearings fell from 17% in 2020 to just 7% in both 2021 and 2022.
He expressed concerns about this sharp decline and called for a closer examination of the factors contributing to the trend.
Prof. Tankebe emphasized that police professionalism and accountability require robust oversight, and the data available suggests the need for urgent reforms.
“One key area we must focus on is police professionalism, but getting the necessary data remains a challenge. However, complaint records against police officers offer useful insight. Ideally, when complaints are filed, we expect a portion to be upheld, leading to disciplinary actions and convictions.”
“Unfortunately, the figures show a concerning trend—in 2020, 17% of police officers undergoing disciplinary hearings were convicted, but this rate dropped drastically to 7% in 2021 and 2022. We need to explore why this decline occurred and whether it signals issues with accountability.”
The declining conviction rate raises questions about the effectiveness of internal disciplinary mechanisms within the Ghana Police Service. Some critics argue that reduced disciplinary actions could undermine public trust in law enforcement, especially in a period where police misconduct remains a public concern.
With the appointment of COP George Alex Mensah as the new Inspector General of Police, there are heightened expectations for reforms aimed at restoring accountability and professionalism within the service.
Analysts suggest that strengthening internal oversight structures and increasing transparency in disciplinary procedures could help address these concerns.
As discussions on police reforms gain momentum, stakeholders will be keenly observing whether the new police leadership takes decisive action to improve disciplinary processes and rebuild public confidence in Ghana’s law enforcement system.
