BY: JULIET METTLE-EDMONDS
Security services in the country are moving a step further in improving security for all. This follows the introduction of K9 security services at various checkpoints and other security installations.
The collaborative exercise is between the Ghana Police Service K9 and the Ghana Prison Service K9. This involves the training of K9 Dogs across the country to check crime. One of the benefits of this exercise is to ensure that contraband is not introduced in the Prisons by officers, visitors, or prisoners.
The collaborative exercise between the Ghana Police Service K9 team and the Ghana Prison Service K9 team will ensure a safer environment for all.
With the introduction of K9 in the Security Services, the Police will be able to check, and apprehend persons with narcotics, ammunition and weapons especially at the various check points.
To the Ghana Prison Service, the new security measure will ensure that contrabands will have no chance in the prisons either by the officers or visitors or convicts who go out to work.
There was a dress rehearsal on tactical movements to be employed during security checks and the ability of security dogs to respond to commands. The Tiwonisam dog school also had on display some tactics by trained dogs
Under the ‘tactical support for attack’ display, there was a simulation. With the help of Dogs, some riders who tried to skip Police checkpoints were apprehended.
Also, a vehicle carrying several luggage was stopped and searched by the security dogs who sniffed some suspected substances and later apprehended by the police.
The K9 Security Service will also assist the security service during patrols.
The Director of Service and Acting Operations at the Prison Service, DOP. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie touched on the importance of the K9.
According to her, ‘ we need to love dogs, because they can save one’s life’. ‘ outside Ghana Dogs are used to check crimes.
A member of the West African Working Dogs’ Association Mr. Kobby Andah said the association will continue to collaborate with the security services to ensure security in the country.
The Chief PRO of the Ghana Prison Service, CSP Vitalis Aiyeh said “People who are in prison are denied some basic things that are said to be normal. When one does drugs and alcohol, you have time for that harmful practice but in prison they are termed some contraband. The drugs in Prison are against the rules and regulations because it might excite you, change your mood as a convict which can lead to an attack on fellow prisoners and officers”.
“The initiative of the K9 will ensure that contraband is not introduced in the prisons either by officers or visitors or the prisoners themselves who go out to work…at check point the dogs will be used to check cars” .
“The issue of bribery will be a thing of the past because one cannot bribe a dog. A dog only takes instructions and is trained to apprehend the culprit”.
The Ghana Prison Service K9 unit was formed in November 2020 with 13 officers, handlers and 2 trainers. The bigger Joint Force K9 drill display is expected to take place by the end of the year.
