The Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, has urged crime officers of the Ghana Police Service to sharpen their investigative skills and recommit to professional standards, stressing that effective investigations remain the backbone of successful criminal prosecution.

Delivering the welcome address at the opening ceremony of the Regional Crime Officers Conference at Accra on Thursday, December 18, DCOP Donkor reminded officers that they are at the forefront of the fight against crime and play a critical role in ensuring justice and public safety.

According to her, the theme of the conference, “The current downward trend of police investigations: the role of crime officers,” reflects the urgent need to confront challenges affecting the quality of investigations across the country.

She noted that gathering credible evidence, interviewing witnesses and building solid cases worthy of prosecution are indispensable to Ghana’s justice delivery system.

She, however, acknowledged that crime officers continue to face major obstacles, including limited resources, irregular and inadequate training, and the increasingly sophisticated nature of crime, which she said has made police work more demanding.

DCOP Donkor explained that the conference was organised to provide timely education and expose officers to the latest trends and best practices in criminal investigations, adding that seasoned resource persons had been assembled to share expertise and practical insights.

She commended crime officers for their dedication and professionalism, praising them for delivering results despite the enormous difficulties confronting their work.

She encouraged participants to take full advantage of the conference by networking, learning from facilitators and senior officers, and actively contributing to discussions.