The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has indicated that the criteria for the promotion of police officers are vast.

He noted that one's years at the Police Service do not override other requirements such as competency and vacancy.

The IGP made this known on Tuesday, September 12, during an appearance before the Parliamentary Committee tasked by Speaker Alban Bagbin with probing a leaked tape on the ousting of the IGP.

“The point that has to be made is that it is not a question about how many years you have been at the Service. We would have all loved to be promoted as soon as you are four years. Vacancy, competency, and other things factor into it. I was in my rank for six years, and I didn’t complain," he said.

Eighty-two police officers have filed a suit against the Attorney General (1st defendant), the Ghana Police Service (2nd defendant), and the Inspector General of Police (3rd defendant).

The plaintiffs contend that the Ghana Police Service failed to promote them after they finished their studies under the organization’s study leave with pay policy.

In the lawsuit filed at an Accra High Court on May 15, the officers led by Deputy Inspector Kofi Osal claim they were denied their deserved promotions as well as entry into the Police College after the successful completion of their studies during the 2017/2018 academic year.

They maintained that the agency refused to promote them despite duly notifying them of the situation and further appealing to be promoted.

The complainants are therefore requesting that the court issue an order directed against the 2nd and 3rd defendants to grant the plaintiffs who qualify for accelerated promotions.

They are also demanding that a permit is given to the plaintiffs who qualify to enter the Police College without further delay.

On the matter, Director-General of Services at the Police Head Office, COP Enoch Adutwum Bediako, has emphasized that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, is not under any obligation to grant promotions to specific police officers.

During a session with students of the Police Basic School as part of the Snatch Them Young Police Initiative, COP Bediako advised future recruits not to assume that longevity in the service automatically entitles them to promotions from the IGP.

“You cannot go and tell the IGP that, I have worked so I need promotion, as if he is obliged to promote you, whether you work or you don’t work. No. The answer is, it depends on how you have worked within the period then the IGP will promote you. So in future, if you become police officers put that in your mind.”