Police chief apologizes to media practitioner over assault

The Upper East Regional Police Commander, DCOP Redeemer Vincent Dedjo has described the verbal and physical assault on Christopher Asima, former morning show host at A1 Radio, Bolgatanga, as unprofessional and uncalled for. 

At a crunch meeting held at his office involving Regional Executive Members of the Ghana Journalist Association, DCOP Dedjo condemned the act of brutality meted out to the victim by members of the Special Weapons and Tactics SWAT. 

On behalf of the Regional Police Command, DCOP Dedjo empathized with Mr Asima and rendered an apology to him and the entire media fraternity for the harm caused. The victim, Mr. Asima was manhandled last Friday by some members of the SWAT team during a fire incident in Bolgatanga that saw more than five stores burnt down by a wild inferno.  

Mr. Asima was among the many journalists that were present at the scene to take coverage. In the process of filming, he was subjected to thorough beatings and in an attempt to resist arrest for no just cause, he was verbally assaulted and subsequently humiliated by his attackers. 

Media reports suggest that Mr Asima was assaulted after suggesting to an officer to use English or the local dialect to control the crowd. The Unit Commander in-charge of the SWAT, ASP Van Koffie Eric, who is said to have masterminded the attack, was captured on a tape using strong abusive words on the victim. 

However, news on the assault case went viral on social media and other news portals with people expressing outrage over the conduct of the police. 

An official complaint was then made to the leadership of the GJA for action to be taken. The move however informed the meeting between the Regional Police Commander and executives of the GJA.  

DCOP Dedjo who opened the discussion said personnel identified in the said brutality will be called to order, adding that his outfit will as well convey an emergency meeting to orient them on the proper handling of media personnel in their line of duty. 

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Ayitey also pleaded with the media to pardon the officers involved in the assault case. 

He said the media and the police are partners in development and for a police officer to go to the extent of assaulting a journalist, it was far below the belt. 

He said the police force will not countenance on such acts  as this could mar the longstanding relationship between the two bodies. 

For his part, the Regional GJA Chair, Mr Eric Amoh who was saddened by the turn of event urged the police to stop media brutalities and consider the media as a critical stakeholder in the fight against crime and other social ills in society. 

ASP Van Koffie Eric later apologized to the leadership of the GJA and to Christopher Asima for the abusive words and ordering his men to harass him. 

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