Short title. Appointment of Commis sioner, other officers, and constables of police. Strength of force. POLICE. Ordinance No. 6 of 1894. AN ORDINANCE relating to the Civil Police of the Gold WHEREAS it is expedient to constitute the civil police of Be it enacted by the Governor of the Gold Coast Colony, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof, as follows: 1. This Ordinance may be cited as "The Police Ordinance, 1894." 2. It shall be lawful for the Governor to appoint a Commissioner of Police and a sufficient number of assistant commissioners, sub-assistant commissioners and superintendents, first and second class sergeants, and first, second and third class constables, who shall all stand with each other in order of rank and command as herein named; and the Governor may from time to time fill up all vacancies that may occur by removal, death, absence, incapacity, or other cause by promotions or fresh appointments; and may authorize the Commissioner at any time to appoint fit men as constables, and every such appointment shall be an appointment under this Ordinance; and the Commissioner may at any time suspend or dismiss any constable who is proved to his satisfaction to be negligent in the discharge of his duty or otherwise unfit for the same. 3. The following shall be the full strength of the civil police as constituted by this Ordinance : One commissioner. Four assistant commissioners. Four sub-assistant commissioners. Six superintendents. Ten first class sergeants. Twenty second class sergeants. Thirty first class constables. One hundred second class constables. Two hundred and twenty-five third class con- The force may be increased above or reduced below this strength if at any time it may seem necessary to the Governor to do so. nance to con serving as 4. All the provisions of this Ordinance and of all rules, Application orders or regulations made in pursuance thereof shall of this Ordiextend to all persons who at the commencement of this stabulary Ordinance shall be serving in the civil branch of the con- civil police. stabulary of the Colony in like manner as if such persons had been appointed under this Ordinance: Provided that any person serving in the civil branch of the constabulary before the date on which this Ordinance comes into force, who shall be unwilling to serve under the provisions thereof, shall have the option of resigning within one month after such date. And any person who at the expiration of one month as aforesaid shall refuse to take the oath prescribed in section 9 shall thereupon cease to belong to or to have any claim upon the police force. 5. The Commissioner, subject to the orders and direc- Duty of Comtions of the Governor, shall have the command, direction missioner. and general superintendence of the police. commis other officers. 6. The assistant commissioners, sub-assistant commis- Duties of sioners and superintendents when stationed in any district assistant shall be charged with the command, direction and super- sioners and intendence of the police from time to time stationed in such district subject to the orders of the Governor and of the Commissioner. In any district where there is a force of police but no superintendent or superior officer in charge, the District Commissioner shall have the charge of the police force in that district as far as regards the discipline, duties, pay and distribution of the men. responsible 7. The Commissioner shall be charged with all monetary Commissioner transactions in connection with the force, and be respon- for public sible for all public moneys entrusted to his care or that moneys and shall come into his possession, and shall be charged with stores. Responsibility of assistant and accountable for all public stores of whatever description belonging or appertaining to the force in case of their being lost, spoiled, or damaged, not by unavoidable accident, theft, robbery, or actual service. 8. Every assistant commissioner, sub-assistant commissioner or superintendent in command of any body of police shall be responsible for all public moneys entrusted other officers. to his care or that shall come into his possession, and shall commis sioners and Declaration on appointment. be charged with the accoutrements, clothing, and all other public stores issued and delivered for the use of the force under his command, and shall account for the same to the Commissioner in case of their being lost, spoiled or damaged not by unavoidable accident, theft, robbery or actual service. 9. Every member of the force shall, on being appointed, make the following declaration, and shall confirm such declaration by oath in such manner as he may declare to be most binding on his conscience, and such oath and declaration shall be made before a District Commissioner. I A. B. do hereby solemnly and sincerely declare and promise that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen VICTORIA her heirs and successors and that I will faithfully serve Her Majesty the Queen her heirs and successors and the Government of the Gold Coast Colony during my period of service and will obey all orders of Her Majesty and of the officers placed over me and subject myself to all Ordinances and regulations relating to the Police Force of the Gold Coast Colony now in force or which may from time to time be in force within the said period. Declared at Signature or mark of Declarant. this day of Before me, District Commissioner. retirement. Gratuities on 10. Gratuities in lieu of pension of one month's pay for every completed year of approved service after having completed twelve years of approved service shall be granted to superintendents, sergeants and constables on their retirement. Gratuities of one month's pay for every completed year of approved service will be granted on the recommendation of the Commissioner to superintendents, sergeants and constables who retire on medical grounds after having completed three and less than twelve years approved service. years sioners and 11. The Commissioner and every assistant commis- Commissioner and sub-assistant commissioner shall on his appoint- other officers ment and so long as he shall continue to hold such office be to be Justices. a Justice of the Peace throughout the jurisdiction defined by the Supreme Court Ordinance, 1876. out a warrant. 12. A person taken into custody for an offence without Bail of person a warrant shall be brought before the District Commis- arrested withsioner as soon as practicable after he is so taken into custody, and if it is not or will not be practicable to bring him before the District Commissioner within twenty-four hours after he is so taken into custody a sergeant or other officer of police of superior rank shall inquire into the case, and, except where the offence appears to such sergeant or superior officer to be of a serious nature, shall discharge the prisoner upon his entering into a recognizance with or without sureties for a reasonable amount to appear before the District Commissioner at the day, time and place mentioned in the recognizance. Nothing herein contained shall authorize any sergeant or superior officer to take bail for any person charged with felony or attempt to commit felony or with slave-dealing. duty. 13. Every member of the force who shall be guilty of Fine for any neglect or violation of duty in his office and shall be neglect of convicted thereof before any District Commissioner shall be liable to a fine of not more than twenty-five pounds, the amount of which fine may be deducted from any salary then due to such offender, or, in the discretion of the District Commissioner by whom he shall be convicted, may be imprisoned for not more than three months. of accoutre ments on 14. Every member of the force who shall be dismissed Delivery up from or shall cease to hold and exercise his office and who shall not forthwith deliver over all the clothing, accoutre- dismissal. ments, appointments and other necessaries which may have been supplied to him for the execution of his duty, to the Commissioner or to such person and at such time or place Unlawful possession of accoutrements. Members not to resign or notice. as shall be decided by the Commissioner, shall be liable on being convicted thereof before any District Commissioner to imprisonment for any term not exceeding one month, and it shall be lawful for any District Commissioner to issue a warrant to search for and seize all such clothing, accoutrements, appointments and other necessaries which shall not be so delivered over wherever the same may be found. 15. Every person not being a member of the force who shall have in his possession any article being part of the clothing, accoutrements or appointments supplied to any such member of the force and who shall not be able satisfactorily to account for the possession thereof shall be liable to a fine of not more than twenty-five pounds or to imprisonment for not more than three months. 16. No member of the force shall be at liberty to resign without leave his office or to withdraw himself from the duties thereof unless expressly allowed to do so in writing by the Commissioner, or unless he shall give to the Commissioner three months' notice of his intention; and every member of the force who shall so resign or withdraw himself without such leave or notice, shall be liable on being convicted thereof before any District Commissioner, to forfeit all arrears of pay then due to him or to a fine of not more than five pounds or to imprisonment for not more than two months. Deductions from pay. Governor to tions, &c., for 17. The Commissioner shall deduct from the pay of any superintendent, sergeant or constable such stoppages and fines as may be provided by the regulations respecting the force. 18. The Governor may from time to time by any Order make regula- make, alter or revoke such rules and regulations consistent the force. with this Ordinance and subject to the provisions thereof relative to the said police force as may be necessary for the purpose of preventing neglect or abuse; and to render the said force efficient in the discharge of its duties; and for the discipline, good order and guidance of the force; for the form and method of appointment of the persons constituting the same, and for their general government with respect to their classification and rank and the services required of them and their conduct in the performance |