A Model “Critical Decision-Making Model”, Case-Study of Ghana, West Africa

Abstract

Introduction: Security and Police organizations in West Africa do not have Critical Decision-making Models to guide the Officer in deciding the Use of Force option. The various Security and Police Services do not appear to place emphasis on ethical policing leading to officer extrajudicial killing and rent- seeking behaviors. Method: Using Ghana’s legal framework on the use of force as a case study, author conducted desk-top review of Critical Deci sion-making Models of other jurisdictions and did content analysis of Ghana’s Incident and Public Order Management Manual, and Use of Force Order, GPS 004-15 as well as the legislative and Constitutional exceptions and immunities for the use of force. Author conducted twenty interviews opportunistically with police officers for validation. Finding: Police Organizations like the Ghana Police Service, ha ve “Incident and Public Order Management Manual” , designed “to provide direction and information to assist com manders, planners, advisors to prepare for and manage events where there is risk to public safety…” It is a generic Standard Operating Procedure, SOP for incident management. They also have an SOP on the Use of Force, listing the events during which force can be used. These documents do not detail issues of proportionality. There is no emphasis on Critical Decision-making in the training of officers in the Use of Force evaluation. Modalities for risk assessment, and de-escalation of threat levels are not part of the SOP or Incident and Public Order Management. The Police in West Africa have negative public image, accused of being trigger happy, brutal in conducting arrests, and corrupt, which could be the result of the lack of adequate training on ethical policing, familiarity with Critical Decision-making skills, the position of the law on the use of force and accountability. Recommendations: The author has proposed a Critical Decision-making Model, admonished police organizations in West Africa, to create country specific models that are simple, functional, and least restrictive in conducting and controlling the offender during arrests. Conclusion: The author anticipates the proposed model or its derivatives would influence police training on Critical Decision-making, as an essential tool for law enforcement.