The Ghana Police Service is the principal law enforcement agency in Ghana. The Ghana Police Service was formed in 1894, at that time it was known as the GOLD COAST POLICE SERVICE. The name was changed in 1957 to the GHANA POLICE SERVICE, after the country again her independence. The Ghana Police Service has over 30,000 well-trained officers and 651 stations across Ghana. The sole purpose of the Ghana Police Service is to maintain law and order.
The Ghana Police Service carries out its operations in twelve divisions. Ten divisions covering the ten states in Ghana. Another division is allocated precisely to the seaport and industrial hub of Tema. The last division is assigned to the Railways, Ports, and Harbor.
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In April 2011, the Ghana Police Service created an additional division, which is known as the Marine Police Unit (MPU). The Marine Police Unit is created to tackle every problem that arises or might arise from the country’s offshore oil and gas industry.
Ghana Police Service Ranks
Senior Officers
The highest rank in the Service is the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and descends to an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) being the least rank within the Senior Officers schedule.
Badges Of Ghana Police Ranks
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) –The Star surrounded by laurel leaves surmounted by two eagles facing each other and one Star
Deputy Inspector-General of Police (D/IGP) – The Star surrounded by laurel leaves surmounted by two eagles facing each other
Commissioner of Police (COP) – The Star surrounded by laurel leaves surmounted by two Stars
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) – The Star surrounded by laurel leaves surmounted by one Star
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) – The Star surrounded by laurel leaves
Chief Superintendent of Police (C/Supt) – Two Eagles facing each other surmounted by one Star
Superintendent of Police (Supt) – Two eagles facing each other
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) – Three Stars
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) – Two Stars
Cadet Officer (CO) – One Star (personnel of this rank are not Senior Officers yet but are on Officer Corps training into becoming Senior Officers at the Police Academy.
Ghana Police Service Ranks
Junior Officers
Basically, ranking in the Police Service begins from Constable, after a satisfactory completion of a training programme in any of the police training schools across the country. The Constable rises through the ranks to the rank of a Chief Inspector of Police, being the highest rank in the Junior Officers’ Schedule.
Chief Inspector (C/Inspr) – Four white metal bars each mounted with the Black Star in the centre
Inspector (Inpr) – Three white metal bars each mounted with the Star in the centre
Regiment Sergeant Major (RSM) – The Ghana Coat of Arms in the form of a metal badge worn on both sleeves
District Sergeant Major (DSM) – The Star surrounded by laurel leaves in a form of a metal badge worn on the left sleeve
Sergeant (Sgt) – Three chevrons worn on both sleeves
Corporal (Cpl) – Two chevrons worn on both sleeves
Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) – One chevron worn on both sleeves
Constable – Nil
Ghana Police Service Salary Structure
The Ghana Police Service is an independent sector, but it is supervised by the Federal Ministry of Interior. The Federal Ministry of Interior oversees the affairs of the Ghana Police Service and its duties which include preventing and detecting crime, retaining public order and the safety of persons and properties.
In the year 2010, there was an implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS). The implementation of this structure resulted in an increase in the salary of officers of the Ghana Police Service.
The higher your rank in the Ghana Police Service the higher your responsibility and salary. According to the Ghana Police Service Structure, an officer with a graduate degree earns more than one who is a WASSCE holder.
- A university graduate who wants to join the Ghana Police service is placed in the Chief Inspector Rank. With a monthly salary of GhC1,400.
- A WASSCE holder recruit is retained in the Constable Rank. With a monthly take-home of GhC700.
The Ghana Police Service Structure made provision for bonuses and allowances, which is available to both men and women of the Ghana Police Service. However, the allowances and bonuses are based on years of service, ranks, and performance.
The entry requirement into the Ghana Police Service
In case you are pondering on how you can be drafted as an officer of the Ghana Police Service. All the requirements and conditions for recruitment are stated below.
For Graduate entry
As a graduate you must meet up the following requirements:
- You must be a citizen of Ghana
- .You must not have been convicted of a criminal offense.
- You must have bagged a degree from any of the Ghanaian accredited universities not below Second Class lower.
- You must have concluded your mandatory National Service.
- You should not be less than 21 years and more than 28 years old at the time of applying.
- You must be physically and medically fit.
- You must be of good character.
- The minimum required height for males is 1.73m (5ft8inches) and for females is 1.63m (5ft4inches).
- Have at least 5 credits in any of WASSCE or BECE which must include a credit in English and a Pass in Mathematics.
For non-graduate entry
If you fall into this class you should possess the following requirements:
- You must be a citizen of Ghana.
- You must not have any criminal record.
- You must be certified medically and physically fit.
- You must be certified of good character.
- The minimum required height for males is 1.73m (5ft8inches) and for females is 1.63m (5ft4inches).
- Have at least 5 credits in any of WASSCE or BECE which must include a credit in English and a Pass in Mathematics.
- You should not be less than 21 years and more than 28 years old at the time of applying.