The First Thing To Check If You’re Ever Arrested By A Ghana Police Officer

The Ghana Police Service (GPS) ID card is an official identification document issued to officers of the Service. If you’re being stopped or approached by someone claiming to be a police officer, it’s within your rights to politely ask for their official ID card to confirm their identity.

Here’s how the Ghana Police Service ID card typically looks and what to look out for:

Features of the Ghana Police Service ID Card:

• Ghana Police Service Logo: Usually present at the top of the card — a clear and official crest or emblem.

• Officer’s Photograph: A recent passport-sized photo of the officer.

• Full Name of the Officer

• Service Number / ID Number: There is a unique number assigned to every officer.

• Rank of the Officer: E.g., Corporal, Sergeant, Inspector, etc.

• QR Code or Barcode (recent versions): Some modern cards include a scannable code for verification.

• Signature and Date of Issue: Sometimes included, showing when it was issued and signed by an authority.

• Police Uniform (in photo): The officer should appear in uniform in the photo on the ID card.

• Security Features: Holograms or embedded threads may be present to prevent forgery.

What You Should Do if You’re Stopped:

• Ask to see the ID card clearly.

• Check that the photo matches the person.

• Confirm the rank and name.

• Check for official insignia and a service number.

If you’re unsure, politely request verification at the nearest police station or call the Ghana Police emergency line: 191 or 18555 (Vodafone/MTN).

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Red Flags:

• When there is no photo or mismatched photo.

• When the card has poor quality (laminated paper instead of plastic).

• When there is no visible service number.

• When the officer shows an aggressive behavior when you ask to verify ID.

• When the person refuses to identify themselves or show a badge.