Police Planning Officer at the UN Mission Support for Justice Reform, ACP Dr. Benjamin Agordzo, has urged police officers to exercise restraint and professionalism during the 2024 general elections.

Speaking at the Peace Through Democracy forum organised by the GIMPA Law Students Association on Wednesday, he stated that police officers are not the ultimate authority at polling stations.

“We made it clear during the 2016 elections that a police officer is not the overall boss at the polling station,” Dr. Agordzo said.

“He is working under the presiding officer.” This principle, he added, helped to maintain order and prevent unnecessary confrontations during the 2016 elections.

Dr. Agordzo recounted efforts to educate officers ahead of the 2016 polls.

“We produced over 42,000 booklets for police officers, summarizing their roles and responsibilities at polling stations,” he said.

These materials served as quick reference guides to help officers stay focused on their duties.

He warned against the temptation for officers to throw their weight around, noting that such behaviour could lead to tensions with voters and other stakeholders.

“Citizens are more empowered and poised to stand up to threats this time,” he cautioned.

Dr. Agordzo also called for regular interactions between the police and the media to build public trust.

“The EC is doing theirs, but what about the National Election Security Task Force?” he asked.

“We need to see regional and district commanders engaging with the media regularly.”

Reflecting on past successes, he reiterated the importance of maintaining professionalism and neutrality.

“In 2016, we proved that elections could be peaceful without intimidating voters,” he said.

“We can achieve the same in 2024 if we stick to the principles of trust, restraint, and inclusivity.”