Challenges before new IGP numerous and onerous

by Milinda Rajasekera

(July 14, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) One Inspector General of Police departed and the 33rd one took his place in a succession of such changes at the top post, as the police force is in sharp public focus for its record of work, both good and bad, of course, more for its demerits nowadays than merits.

What the New IGP N.K.Illangakoon said and did in the first flush of his assuming duty have drawn much public attention. The statements that the police force should build up closer relationship with the people and that inadequate training has caused deterioration in discipline and his act of returning 20 odd vehicles that the former IGP had allegedly used, give the public a pre-view of the manner in which he proposes to conduct the affairs of his office.

The problems and challenges that the new IGP has to face are numerous and onerous indeed. The IGPs before him were also not unaware of these problems. They also, as they assumed duties, made various impressive pronouncements about what they intended to do to restore the high standards the police force maintained in the past. But their achievements at the end of their tenure fell far short of their expectations. The fact that the same weaknesses continues to plague the service shows that their efforts have not borne fruit.

As the law enforcement arm closest to them, the people obviously depend on the police service to come to their assistance and rescue in times of trouble and distress. People expect police officers to be persons of honesty, impartiality, kindness and competence. When involved in disputes with fellow citizens or with state authorities, the public expect the police officers to carry out their duties without succumbing to extraneous pressures or enticements.

The conditions under which the police officers are called upon to perform their duties today are, no doubt, arduous. Social discipline has deteriorated, crime, fraud and corruption are rampant, political interference in their duties has reached intolerable proportions, enticements and inducements offered to them to do wrong, are many and varied, calibre of politicians is fast declining with unqualified and unsuitable persons invading the field of politics. While some in the police service strive to resist pressures and maintain their standards under such circumstances, others fall prey. It is evident that exemplary police officers still adorn the police force although they seem to be in a minority. Their services are often appreciated and commended by the public. However, we often see today how police officers become subservient to political authorities. Several recent incidents showed how police officers had been reduced to positions of onlookers when politicians blatantly violate the law. They get cold feet when they find those involved are political heavyweights.

It is here that proper training and moral enhancement assume great importance to equip police officers to circumvent the pressures of the existing political culture and social environment. Schemes of recruitment, training, promotion and transfers should be properly formulated and implemented. As widely perceived, the adoption of these administrative measures for good governance has suffered serious setbacks as the plague of politicization began sweeping through all fields of activity. It is encouraging that the IGP has already initiated the programme for training 18,000 policemen who have not completed their training.

The move made by IGP Illangakoon to return the vehicles used by the former IGP, holds out hope for an administration that respects public opinion against extragance and abuse of power. This action would moreover send a timely message to all sectors in the administration to shun extravagance and utilize public assets and resources for optimum public benefit. It would indeed be interesting to ascertain the purposes for which the former IGP used such a large fleet of vehicles. It would also be appropriate to find out whether the rules and regulations formulated for the use of official vehicles are properly observed by politicians and administrative officers. It is no secret that certain key departments like the police lack the vehicles required to carry out their vital duties efficiently while those in high positions are provided with vehicles in far excess of their requirements to perform their official duties.

A vital factor that would assist the IGP and his department in revamping the police force is the cooperation and support of politicians and the general public. Unless this assistance is forthcoming the accomplishment of the new IGP’s objective would be extremely difficult. Politicians who obtain the services of all persons irrespective of their character or moral standards for pursuing their political objectives become obliged to serve them and protect them whatever activities they are engaged in. It is those who are engaged in antisocial activities who generally become politicians’ closest supporters mainly because they require political patronage and protection for conducting their nefarious activities.

So, when they get caught to the police in their illegal activties, it is their godfather politician who rushes to their rescue thus throwing to the winds their impressive public pronouncements inviting the law enforcing authorities to apply the law irrespective of the connections and affiliations of the persons concerned. The members of the public who also have become accustomed to seeking police favours via politicians have to refrain from such practices.