Seven police personnel lost their lives in the line of duty last year.
Two of the deceased were gunned down by suspected armed robbers while the rest lost their lives through accidents.
The figure is a reduction in the number of police officers who died at post in 2014, where 11 deaths were documented.
Some of the departed are General Sergeant (G/Sgt.) Albert Adubah, General Constable (G/Const.) Emmanuel Nii Atseku, General Lance Corporal (G/L/Cpl.) Solomon Okyere, and General Constable Luke Dantour.
The rest are General Constable Ransford Boakye, General Sergeant Sampson Attah, and General Corporal Prince Charles Akata.
Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent of Police Cephas Arthur, who disclosed this to The Finder in an interview, stated that benefits accruing to the deceased would be processed and paid to their next of kin.
He said that the benefits include a Workman’s Compensation, which is a one-off lump sum paid to the deceased’s next of kin. Workman’s Compensation goes to those who get injured too.
According to the Police Administration, every officer who loses his life in line of duty is paid a gratuity by the administration, as well as pension contributions by his/her pension scheme. In addition, a part of the funeral cost is borne by the Police Administration.
G/Const. Emmanuel Nii Atseku was shot dead by suspected armed robbers whilst on duty at Radiance LPG station, near Power House in Ho, on September 22, 2015.
G/Cpl. Prince Charles Akata was also shot and killed by armed robbers on January 7, 2015 whilst on lawful duty at Weija.
On February 4, 2015, G/Const. Luke Dantour and G/Const. Ransford Boakye were killed at Shai Hills when a KIA truck rammed into the service vehicle they were using for patrols.
G/Sgt. Albert Adubah, G/Sgt. Sampson Attah and G/L/Cpl. Solomon Okyere were run over by vehicles whilst on snap check duties at their designated posts.
G/Sgt. Adubah’s incident occurred October 26; G/Sgt. Attah’s death happened January 27, 2015; and G/L/ Cpl Okyere’s demise took place on February 2, 2015.
Though the Police Administration has instituted a Martyrs’ Day to remember officers who die in the line of duty, it would soon inaugurate a cenotaph to have the names of some of these officers etched in history forever.
This implies that not every personnel who fell in the line of duty would have his or her name on the cenotaph, The Finder has gathered.
Strict criteria would be employed in selecting those who get their names carved on the cenotaph.
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