Ghana Police Service#Marine Police Unit
{{Short description|Main law enforcement agency of Ghana}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname = Ghana Police Service
| commonname = Ghana Police Service
| abbreviation = GPS
| patch = Ghana Police Service (GPS) patch.jpg
| patchcaption = Ghana Police Service patch depicting the service logo
| logo = Ghana Police Service (GPS) logo.jpg
| logocaption = Logo of the Ghana Police Service
| badge = Ghana Police Service (GPS) Badge.jpg
| badgecaption = Shield of the Ghana Police Service
| motto = Service With Integrity
| formedyear = 1894
| preceding1 = 1894 – 1957: known as the Gold Coast Police Force
| preceding2 = 1957 – known as the Ghana Police Service
| employees = 32,684 (30 June 2011)
| budget =
| map = Regions of Ghana en.svg
| mapcaption =
| sizearea = {{convert|92,098|sqmi|km2|order=flip}}
| sizepopulation = 24,233,431
| country = Republic of Ghana
| national = Yes
| governingbody = Government of Ghana
| constitution1 = Police Act 1904
| constitution2 = Police Act 1960
| constitution3 = Police Act 1970
| constitution4 = Policing Act 1992
| police = Yes
| local = Yes
| headquarters = Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
| sworn = 23,684 (30 June 2011)
| unsworn = 9,000 (30 June 2011)
| electeetype = Minister
| minister1name = Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka
| minister1pfo = Minister for Interior
| chief1name = COP Christian Tetteh Yohunu
| chief1position = Inspector General of Police
| unittype = Departments
| unitname = {{collapsible list |title=18
|• Administration
|• Criminal Investigation
|• Finance
|• Human Resource
|• ICT
|• Legal & Prosecution
|• Motor Traffic & Transport Unit
|• National Operations
|• National Patrol Department
|• National Protection Directorate
|• Police Intelligence Directorate
|• Police Professional Standard Bureau
|• Public Affairs
|• Research, Planning & Transformation
|• Services
|• Special Duties
|• Technical
|• Welfare
}}
| officetype = Region
| officename = {{collapsible list |title=10 |Ashanti |Brong-Ahafo |Central |Eastern |Greater Accra |Northern |Upper East |Upper West |Volta |Western }}
| stations = 651+
| website = {{URL|www.police.gov.gh}}
| reference =
}}
The Ghana Police Service (GPS) is the main law enforcement agency of Ghana. The service is under the control of the Ghanaian Ministry of the Interior,{{cite web|title=The Ghana Police Service |url=http://mint.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=37 |publisher=MINT.gov.gh |access-date=7 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822015657/http://mint.gov.gh/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=37 |archive-date=22 August 2011 }} and employs over 30,000 officers across its 651 stations.
Organisational structure
The Ghana Police Service operates in twelve divisions: ten covering the ten regions of Ghana, one assigned specifically to the seaport and industrial hub of Tema, and the twelfth being the Railways, Ports and Harbours Division.{{cite web|title=POLICE ADMINISTRATION|url=http://www.ghanapolice.info/regional.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218115805/http://www.ghanapolice.info/regional.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 February 2013|publisher=GhanaPolice.info|access-date=9 May 2011}}
An additional division, the Marine Police Unit, exists to handle issues that arise from the country's offshore oil and gas industry.
The current head of the Ghana Police Service is Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohunu.{{Cite news|title=Ghana Prez appoint C.O.P Akuffo Dampare as new acting IGP|work=BBC News Pidgin|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-57923247|access-date=2021-11-09|archive-date=2021-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109120108/https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-57923247|url-status=live}} For each of the regional police divisions, there is a Regional Commander who is in charge of all operational and administrative functions under his jurisdiction. In direct operational matters, the Regional Commander furthermore works in tandem with the Regional Operational Commander. For administrative functions, the Regional Commander is assisted by the Deputy Regional Commander and the Regional Crime Officer. The Deputy Inspector-General of Police is assisted by the Director-General of the Police Administration, and supervises the activities of the regional commanders of police.
=Regional divisions=
Apart from the National Police Headquarters, all the regional divisions have subdivisions under them. The aim of this is to decentralize the activities of the regional police force for more effective and flexible service.
=Special units=
{{external media|float=right|width=250px|video1=[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EpXoWBGvD8o&index=96&list=WL&t=0s Police Drills]}}
There are, furthermore, specialized police units in all the regional divisions. The Regional Commander has oversight over these units. These units include:
- Arms and Ammunition
- Audit Offices
- Courts and Prosecution
- Crime Offices
- Domestic Violence and Victim Support
- Finance Offices
- Highway Patrol Unit
- Mobile Force (in eight regions)
- Motor Traffic and Transport Unit
- Police Training Schools (in five regions).
- Public Affairs Directorate
- Rapid Deployment Force
- Mounted Squadron{{Cite web|title=Police begins horse patrol operations|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/police-begins-horse-patrol-operations.html|access-date=2021-11-09|website=Graphic Online|language=en-gb|archive-date=2021-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109113850/https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/police-begins-horse-patrol-operations.html|url-status=live}}
=Marine Police Unit=
In April 2011, the Ghana Police Service set up a special Marine Police Unit (MPU).{{cite web|title=Ghana Police Service sets up Marine Police Unit|url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/323575/1/ghana-police-service-sets-up-marine-police-unit.html|publisher=ModernGhana.com|access-date=8 May 2011|archive-date=2 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102193158/http://www.modernghana.com/news/323575/1/ghana-police-service-sets-up-marine-police-unit.html|url-status=live}} The unit has amongst its duties policing operations related to the country's oil and gas industry, and the handling of offenses contained in the Fisheries Act 2002 and Fisheries Regulations 2011.
The Marine Unit was inaugurated in Takoradi on 21 June 2013 by Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur. The unit operates two 9-meter patrol boats (P1 & P2) and four 6.3-meter rigid inflatable boats (P3, P4, P5 & P6).{{cite web|url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/470624/1/marine-police-unit-re-launched-in-takoradi.html|title=Marine Police Unit re-launched in Takoradi|publisher=ModernGhana.com|date=23 June 2013|access-date=30 June 2013|archive-date=21 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721160621/http://www.modernghana.com/news/470624/1/marine-police-unit-re-launched-in-takoradi.html|url-status=live}}
= Mounted Squadron =
On August 12, 2021, the Ghana Police Service launched a horse patrol operations as part of the Mounted Squadron Unit of the Ghana Police Service. This unit would be running patrol services in some selected part of Accra, Ghana.{{Cite web|title=Acting IGP launches Horse Patrol Operations - MyJoyOnline.com|url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/acting-igp-launches-horse-patrol-operations/|access-date=2021-11-09|website=www.myjoyonline.com|language=en-US|archive-date=2022-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411225600/https://www.myjoyonline.com/acting-igp-launches-horse-patrol-operations/|url-status=live}}
= Other =
The Ghana Police Service has a women's soccer/football club called the Police Ladies Football Club, which was formed in 2007. The club plays in the Ghana Women’s Premier League, the first tier women's football league.{{Cite web|last=Koranteng|first=Daniel|date=7 October 2021|title=Watch how Police Ladies unveiled their new star in style [VIDEO]|url=https://citisportsonline.com/2021/10/07/watch-how-police-ladies-unveiled-their-new-star-in-style-video/|url-status=live|access-date=17 October 2021|website=Citi Sports Online|archive-date=17 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017011252/https://citisportsonline.com/2021/10/07/watch-how-police-ladies-unveiled-their-new-star-in-style-video/}}{{Cite web|last=Larweh|first=Kwame|date=11 October 2021|title=Police Ladies, Naija Ratel FC draw goalless:In opening of Flying Officers Cup|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/police-ladies-naija-ratel-fc-draw-goalless-in-opening-of-flying-officers-cup.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-17|website=Graphic Online|publisher=Graphic Communications Group Limited|archive-date=2021-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017011302/https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/police-ladies-naija-ratel-fc-draw-goalless-in-opening-of-flying-officers-cup.html}}
Inspector General of Police
The current head of the Ghana Police Service is Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohunu.{{Cite web|last=Online|first=Peace FM|title=Kudos, Dr. Dampare! You're Doing A Good Job!! - Nana Akomea Praises IGP|url=https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/local/news/202201/459447.php|access-date=2022-01-25|website=Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news|archive-date=2022-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125161750/https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/local/news/202201/459447.php|url-status=live}}
Ghana Police Ranks
- Inspector General of Police
- Deputy Inspector General
- Commissioner
- Deputy Commissioner
- Assistant Commissioner
- Chief Superintendent
- Superintendent
- Deputy Superintendent
- Assistant Superintendent
- Chief Inspector
- Inspector
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- Lance Corporal
- Constable
Gallery
File:Ghana Police Service Badge.jpg|Ghana Police Service badge.
File:Ghana Police Service Academy.jpg|Ghana Police Service officers and academy.
File:Ghana Police Service Mowag Piranha.jpg|Ghana Police Service Mowag Piranha I 8x8, MOWAG Roland and Mowag Piranha I 4x4.
File:Ghana Police Service Motorbikes.jpg|Ghana Police Service motorcycles and despatch riders.
File:Ghana Police Service Boat P-2 (Marine Police Unit).jpg|Police Unit (MPU) patrol boat P2.
File:Ghana Police College housing block.JPG|Facilities at the Ghana Police College, in Accra
==See also==
References
{{reflist}}
{{Ministries and Agencies in Ghana}}
{{National intelligence agencies}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Law enforcement agencies of Ghana
Category:Law enforcement in Ghana