1. Following a courtesy visit to the IGP, the UNDP Resident Representative – Mr. Frederick Ampiah was impressed with the fact that the IGP never requested material things like computers, vehicles, or whatever for the SLP, but rather stressed on the need to build the capacity of the police and its personnel to deliver effective policing services.
2. It was in that meeting that the idea of transforming the SLP to a police service was conceived.
3. It came against the backdrop that the transformation would be of great help to winning public’s trust and confidence; given that the latter is skewed towards people-centred policing.
3. Subsequent engagements identified possible areas of intervention to actualize the process and eventual transformation. These, among others, include:
4. Development and endorsement of the road map for the transition from a force to a service; review of the Police Act 1964 and other relevant laws; development of SLP service strategic plan 2025-2029; digitalising the police registry to enhance efficiency of records and staff management; adoption and implementation of systems for achieving 30% women in the management and cadres in line with the GEWE Act 2022; establish e-case management system and train relevant personnel; review of curriculum and training; local needs policing scheme; strategic communication; and capacity strengthening for oversight institutions.
5. The trip to Ghana was a benchmark mission so that the SLP can learn from the experience of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) on their transition from Force to Service.
6. In Ghana, the delegation visited the UNDP Ghana Office, Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Ministry for the Interior, and the Ghana Police Service Headquarters.
7. The briefing sessions were centred on: reform of the relevant legal/statutory instruments, police accountability, rule of law and respect for human rights, community policing, police operations, digital records management, case management system, and funding and welfare of personnel.
8. Timeline: UNDP will support the implementation of activities in the identified intervention areas, which are categorised as short term, medium term, and long term.
9. Next steps: develop a road map for the transition process; setting up a national advisory committee for strategic direction of the transition process; setting up experts reference group to provide technical advice for the transition; and development of strategic plan 2025-2029.
10. What are the immediate steps? Reviewing the Police Act, which is ongoing; engaging personnel with the view to conscientise and orientate them; working with relevant MDAs; seeking cabinet approval for the transformation, and possible parliamentary ratification of the reformation and relevant legal instruments.
11. It is, therefore, a process that requires deliberate actions at various levels.
SLP Media Team
