The Lakeside Police Station in the Adentan Municipality is undergoing a notable transformation under the leadership of District Police Commander DSP Shaibu Alhassan Sabi. Since assuming office, DSP Sabi has faced and addressed various challenges, including low morale among personnel, internal conflicts, and neglected facilities, while significantly enhancing community safety.
His leadership has sparked a positive shift, with both police personnel and local residents acknowledging the improvement.
Lakeside is a busy district that includes some affluent areas such as Lakeside Estates, Ashaley Botwe, Nmai Dzorn, East Legon Hills, and New Legon, among others. As the police commander, DSP Sabi has demonstrated a keen understanding of the complexities involved in managing such a district. In his three months at the helm, his actions have earned him admiration from his colleagues and the wider community.
Upon taking charge, DSP Sabi immediately confronted a host of issues. Low morale among officers, broken-down vehicles, congested CID offices, and a shortage of CID forms were among the problems he tackled head-on. Drawing from his experience as a former Crime Officer, he quickly secured the necessary logistics and forms for the CID personnel, greatly improving their work output. Officers, previously demotivated, began to show professionalism and enthusiasm, with one detective stating, “He knows his work. Since he took over, we can confidently handle cases knowing his guidance will make things easier.”
DSP Sabi’s first step was to engage with senior officers, emphasizing his vision for raising the district to new heights. He insisted on the importance of discipline and productivity, telling officers that “punctuality without work output is tantamount to absence from duty.” His insistence on efficiency created a work culture that prioritized both timeliness and performance.
In his efforts to foster a collaborative environment, DSP Sabi met with general personnel and the Lakeside Residents’ Association to encourage feedback and promote inclusivity. He stressed the importance of his officers’ welfare, noting that without a motivated workforce, a commander’s effectiveness is compromised. His leadership style is both disciplined and compassionate, making every officer feel heard and valued.
Community engagement is a central pillar of DSP Sabi’s strategy. He has taken time to interact directly with residents, visiting schools like Iqra Islamic School in Ashaley Botwe to provide security education. His ability to speak multiple languages—including English, Twi, Hausa, and Kotokoli—allowed him to connect with a wide audience. Residents, in turn, have praised his accessibility and the increased sense of security they feel under his watch. One resident remarked, “He’s affable, knowledgeable, and when you speak to him, you don’t want the conversation to end. He’s made us feel safer with his presence.”
Under his leadership, police visibility in the district has risen, with additional motorbike patrols and quicker response times to incidents. This has led to a noticeable drop in theft, particularly in areas where phone and bag snatching were common. DSP Sabi personally led operations to stop these crimes, which has been met with appreciation from local residents. His open-door policy further strengthened trust between the police and the community, encouraging residents to report issues and collaborate with law enforcement.
In terms of internal improvements, DSP Sabi has made strides in modernizing the station. He repaired previously broken-down police motorbikes and vehicles, including a long-abandoned Toyota pickup that is now back in service and enhancing patrols. He has also initiated a project to install CCTV cameras at the district headquarters, providing 24-hour surveillance and accountability. This system will soon expand to cover all police stations within the district, creating a model for modern policing in the area.
DSP Sabi’s efforts to boost team morale extended beyond operations. He introduced a monthly endurance walk, culminating in a social event where senior officers serve their colleagues. These activities promote camaraderie and build a stronger, more unified police force. The monthly walk has become so popular that residents are eager to join in, further bridging the gap between the police and the community.
His forward-thinking approach also includes plans for further station improvements, such as repaving the district headquarters compound, expanding the exhibit room at Community 8 Police Station, and enhancing security lighting across the district. These efforts are part of his larger goal to ensure that the Lakeside District Police is both efficient and equipped to handle the demands of modern policing.
Under DSP Sabi’s leadership, the Lakeside District Police is undergoing a significant transformation that has already yielded positive results. His commitment to both his personnel and the community has enhanced the district’s safety and improved public perception of the police. As these changes continue to take root, the partnership between the police and the residents promises to create a safer, more secure environment for all.
