The Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Owusu-Bempah, has cautioned students of Okuapem Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School against resorting to violence, mob action and attacks on police officers.
Addressing students on September 3, he urged them to take responsibility for maintaining discipline, stressing that school authorities alone could not effectively manage the large student populations.
DCOP Owusu-Bempah warned that students could not hide behind their numbers to escape accountability, saying the Police would identify individuals who organised or led violent acts.
“We cannot arrest the entire school, but we know the ringleaders,” he said.
He urged students who become aware of plans to cause trouble to alert their headmasters instead of allowing tensions to escalate.
The commander also cautioned students against defying orders to vacate the schools. He said those who refused to leave or later joined groups outside the schools to engage in violence would face police action.
He further warned students against associating with individuals he described as miscreants and hoodlums who could influence them to attack others.
“We will look for you and treat you like a common criminal,” he said.
DCOP Owusu-Bempah expressed concern over reports that students had pelted police officers with stones during the disturbances, reminding them that attacking a police officer constituted a criminal offence.
“Those of you who have been throwing, pelting policemen with stones, and attacking the policemen are committing criminal offenses,” he said.
He stressed that being a student did not exempt anyone from the law and warned that officers would take appropriate measures to protect themselves if attacked.
The Regional Police Commander urged the two schools to channel their rivalry into constructive competition, particularly in academics, sports and other achievements that would bring honour to their institutions.
He said students should not seek recognition for violence or stone-throwing.
“The bragging rights should not be about which school can throw the most stones, which school is the most violent,” he said.
According to him, violent conduct could leave students and their schools with a negative reputation that could have lasting consequences.
“These are all negative connotations. We don’t want that to follow you in the future,” he said.
He also cautioned students against allowing former students and other outsiders to influence them into engaging in confrontations.
DCOP Owusu-Bempah said current students must accept responsibility for their actions and should not blame others for decisions that could result in criminal charges.
He stressed that the Police would not plead with individuals who knowingly broke the law.
“This should be the last time that you repeat this. If you do that, police, there is nothing like we are begging. There is nothing like begging,” he said.
He explained that criminal acts attract prescribed punishments and that anyone who violates the law must be prepared to face the consequences.
“If you violate the law, there are rules, there are punishments. That is why it is a crime,” he said.
The commander urged students of both schools to put their competitive spirit into academic excellence, sporting achievements, and other positive pursuits rather than allowing rivalry to degenerate into violence.
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