Show interest in cases involving suspected criminals

Page 47: Daily Graphic, July 20, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A SECURITY analyst, Mr Emmanuel Sowatey, has called on Ghanaians to show interest in cases involving suspected criminals to their logical conclusion.
He said the people’s interest in cases of crime should not just be the jubilation at the arrest of suspected criminals but should be followed through to their logical conclusion.
“Laudable as the efforts of the security agencies are in dealing with armed robberies, we need also to concurrently monitor the prosecution process of suspected armed robbers,” he told the Daily Graphic at the weekend.
Mr Sowatey explained that the success of the security agencies in dealing with crime hinged on the efficiency and collaboration of other actors in the fight against crime.
“This means that the overall success of Operation Calm Life is partly dependent on the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire criminal justice system.
According to him, there had been instances where the zeal of security operatives had diminished as a consequence of badly prepared prosecutors and sometimes suspicious judgements.
Mr Sowatey said there was, therefore, the need for oversight bodies such as the legislature and its various select committees on security issues, the media and civil society organisations to show keen interest in how the prosecution of suspected armed robbers, for instance, would be handled.
“If the justice system is seen to be fair, transparent and fast, other critical components of our security will fall in place. Additionally, people will be less willing to employ instant action as a way to punish and deter criminals,” he stated.
He said security personnel might also not be trigger happy if after they had risked their lives to apprehend suspects, they saw the suspects on the streets sometimes going back to commit the same or similar crime that led to their earlier arrest.
“Thus a cynical cycle of arrested, released on bail and re-arrested is engendered or put into motion. I am not arguing that suspects are criminals and that every such suspect be treated as a criminal. I believe in following the due process of the law. Yet, I have a serious problem if the prosecution of suspects is slow and not given the needed attention,” he stressed.
Mr Sowatey urged Ghanaians to report those who illegally dealt in arms, whether civilians or security personnel, to the appropriate authorities.