Make sure officers don't sit in the same bullion van carrying cash- IGP to commanders

The IGP has directed the use of escort teams to guard bullion vans carrying bulk cash for various banks and other financial institutions across the country.

According to a police wireless message, they have received reports that indicate that some Commanders have stopped providing personnel and logistics for specie and other bank-related duties following the James Town bullion van attack a week ago.

The wireless message from the Director-General of Police Operations to the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and all Regional, District and Unit Commanders said, “The Inspector General of Police (INGPOL) directs for purposes of emphasis Commanders are to continue providing escorts and bank guard duties and to ensure that personnel do not sit in the same bullion van carrying the cash.”

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“Escort vehicle should be provided by either the bank or police in which the police escort team will sit. Personnel are also to be provided with body armour and ballistic helmet for all such duties and not less than two personnel should be in a team of escort,” the statement added.

The Police Administration further directed all Commanders to strictly comply with the directive and treat it urgently.

On June 14, a police officer, Emmanuel Osei, and a hawker, Afua Badu, were attacked by a group of armed robbers who trailed a bullion van in a taxi and on a motorbike at Adedenkpo, a suburb of James Town, Accra and upon arrival at a less crowded location, fired indiscriminately, killing them instantly.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), James Oppong Boanuh in a meeting with the Association of Bankers and Governor of the Central Bank Ernest Addison after the incident asked banks across the country to secure armoured bullion vans for bulk cash transportation by end of June this year.

The IGP threatened the police will withdraw their escort services if the banks failed to comply with the directive.

“I want to remind the Association of Bankers to provide fortified armoured vehicles for transporting their currencies by close of June 2021 as earlier agreed between them and the Police Service, else the police will withdraw their officers for escort duties” the IGP made this known in a statement.