The Police Administration has dismissed criticisms that its officers have been over-reactive in cases where they have had to, during their operations, shoot down armed robbers.

The police have in recent times been blamed for gunning down robbers instead of arresting them for investigation and prosecution.

The latest incident happened over the weekend at the Greda Estates near Teshie-Nungua, where police shot two alleged armed robbers dead.

This followed closely on the heels of other incidents in Kumasi and Accra where the police shot and killed a number of robbers.

But speaking to Joy News on Monday, DSP Kwesi Ofori of the Police Public Affairs Directorate said although such concerns must be looked at, the survival of officers and the victims of robbery should take precedence over armed men who shoot at police officers without provocation.

“Should they direct their illegal weapon towards personnel, constituting a legitimate force, no less a force like the Police Service, including all other security services, we need to deal with them,” he told Joy FM’s Alex Kwabena Mensah.

“We need to fight crime and our survival, our existence is very key.”

He stressed that the recent mode of operation by the police was underpinned by the constitution.

“We are duty-bound by the constitution, by all laws created for the police to defend ourselves,” he stressed.

President Mills at his investiture promised a massive crack down on armed robbery, especially in the capital city.

Inspector-General of Police, Paul Tawiah Quaye, collaborating this during at his appointment said the police force would be intelligence-led; a new force he said must be of “world class.”


Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana