Siren abusing officers have been arrested

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) David Asante Apeatu has said the service has arrested some of its own for the misapplication of Road Traffic regulations on sirens.

“…In recent times, we have arrested some of our officers who have been tried summarily,” he said.

He made this known Thursday August 10, 2017, when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC).

Commenting on the IGP’s disclosure, the Chairman of the committee James Klutse Avedzi said despite the fact that the police officers are allowed by law to use sirens, they should desist from using it if “there is no need for it.”

Early this year, the service served notice it will soon arrest all unauthorized horn and siren users in the country.

In a statement in April, the Police said: “it has observed with grave concern the unauthorized installation and use of Horns and sirens as regulated by regulation 74 of the Road Traffic regulations of 2012 (LI.2180)”.

The legislative instrument says “a person shall not fit on a motor vehicle a warning appliance other than a type approved by the Licensing Authority (DVLA)”.

The LI allows only “a government vehicle used for official purpose by the Head of State, a Police vehicle, a motor vehicle used by the Fire Service, a motor vehicle used as ambulance of a hospital or clinic, a recognized government security agencies and a bullion vehicle registered by the Licensing Authority are to be fitted with such instruments.

“But the warning was however extended to “authorised users to desist from abusing the facility as they shall face the law upon arrest.”