Daily News Editorial

Policing the Police

08 November 2016

The arrest of a Sub Inspector of Police for his alleged role in the robbery of Rs. 40 million worth of jewellery from a jewellery store in Pettah once again brings to light the repercussions of runaway recruitment of police and service personnel during the war years to fill the shortfall of manpower. It is a black mark on the Police Service- as it is now being designated - as a whole and what IGP Pujith Jayasundera would have least expected from one of his men when the Police marked its 150th anniversary only the other day. This, also at a time when the Police is doing good work, smashing underworld networks and arresting leaders of criminal gangs on a regular basis. It (Police) is sure to lose the commendation of the public for these positive results due to this criminal act of a single member within its fold.

The robbery had been carried out while the SI concerned was serving as the OIC of the Intelligence Unit of the Kelaniya Division. He had also had as an accomplice the notorious underworld leader Army Sampath who is already in remand in connection with the robbery. The development no doubt is bound to send shock waves among the law abiding citizens of this country who are dependent on the law enforcement officers to protect them from theft and other harm. It will also certainly make the IGP who has vowed to clean up the Police Department to think up fresh strategies to accomplish this task.

Here is an instance where a law enforcement officer had not only committed a grave offence such as a jewellery heist but also was in cahoots with the underworld which also throws light on the nexus between the law enforcement and criminal elements. It is time that the IGP takes upon himself the task of weeding the police service of the undesirables recruited during the war years. Already we have ex-servicemen and even serving soldiers on the rampage committing murder and robbery, without the police adding to it. Of course some of our lawmakers are well known for their criminal tendencies. But rarely have seen a law enforcer caught in the act in this manner. This is also a revelation to those politicians who accuse the government of mistreating “war heroes” to advance their own agendas.

The arrest of the SI is also a telling indictment on the police service as a whole which has not exactly endeared itself to the public in recent times. Recent episodes of police personnel being involved in treasure hunting is also an indication of the depths to which our law enforcement has deteriorated. The IGP certainly has his work cut out in his desire to make the police a truly civil enforcement body, given the rogue elements in its midst. The public will certainly lose confidence in the police if its men continue to operate on the other side of the law instead of within it.

Immediate measures are called for to identify the causes that lead to the police officers themselves acting as lawbreakers and engaging in graft and robberies of the kind involving the arrested SI. The investigating officers in this instance should be commended for not resorting to a cover up or as in other instances sharing the spoils.

Time was when the khaki uniform was an object of awe and honour. This country had one of the finest police officers who could have rubbed shoulders with their counterparts in other countries for their investigative skills and acumen. Then, it was an exacting recruiting process to the Police where school, family background etc. played an important role in the selection. Typically the men who passed muster did honour to the Department and earned laurels for their honesty and dedication.

Sadly, as mentioned, the rot setting during the ethnic war where the strict screening processes were dispensed with and all comers recruited to the Police Department as with the services. It is time the IGP turned back the clock and apply the laid down processes when recruitment is done to the Police. He should also turn the searchlight inwards and pick out the causes that have estranged the police from the general public. As he no doubt is well aware the Police Service is notorious for graft, with a former Sports Minister ranking the Service at the top in the totem pole in this respect. It is only a small step away from graft to criminality as in the case of the SI. It is also well known that many police officers today are private bus owners. Hence the lawlessness we see on the roads today with little or no action taken against private bus drivers who have converted our highways to veritable racing tracks.

It would not be asking too much from the IGP to ascertain how some of these policemen acquired the resources to be owners of private buses. This lawlessness on the highways is but a mirror image of the lawlessness in the country, where, as is revealed now, the police too is making a not inconsiderable contribution.