Policing the police

A response to the letter published in The Sunday Times dated March 25 titled, “How to correct the many wrongs in the Police”, by M.C. L. Mendis.

As Chairman of the Sri Lanka Police Inspectors' Association (SLPIA), I wish to state categorically that we will be in favour of a policy decision if initiated where all applicants who possess degrees from recognized Universities are recruited as Probationary Sub-Inspectors of Police. This is in view that it would enhance the quality of the service considerably.The salient facts are summarized below:-

Why is the Sri Lanka Police Inspectors’ Association opposing direct recruitment of Probationary Asst. Superintendents of Police?

We have done an in-depth study on the unprecedented backlog in the same ranks of the Inspectorate and the ranks below and it clearly shows that direct recruitment of P/Asst. Supdts. of Police over the years had been the contributing factor for stagnation and frustration of the Inspectorate and ranks below causing deterioration of the service.

The directly recruited P/A.S.PP, within a short span of 19 years of service, rises to the rank of D.I.G. on a sure and certain time frame and is awarded a promotion automatically without having to display merit or outstanding performance. Thereafter, he remains in office undisturbed for 15 years until retirement. This deprives a large number of experienced and deserving Inspectors of Police and ranks below of promotions. This reminds me of the old Sinhala saying “Kotta Adina Ali Peththekkata, Perehera Yanne Wena Ali”.

Further, direct recruitment of P/A.S.PP costs the state a colossal sum of money in terms of perks and privileges (a chauffeur-driven vehicle etc) immediately when they are posted. It is a pity that those who joined the service possessing degrees as Police Constables(P.C.) and Probationary Sub-Inspectors of Police (P/S.I.) are not provided with such facilities. Even other professionals such as medical officers and engineers are not provided such facilities immediately as they join their respective departments.

The writer refers to "if Police Constables also demand…. and thereby impair the efficiency of the Service". Well, our opinion is that if they are hard working, honest and display merit/outstanding performance they should be afforded opportunities to rise in their career by all means without discrimination. We support views citing the administrative changes that took place many years ago in the Police Services of highly developed countries such as the USA, Australia and the United Kingdom. They too have embarked on policy decisions to recruit applicants at the low rank and on performance of merit they could rise in their career. We could at least follow the footsteps of the U.K. since she introduced policing into the country.

With reference to Mr. Mendis’s claim on the report issued by the Basnayake Police Commission (BPC), about three decades ago, it is quite irrelevant and illogical in the present context, in view of the fact that the number of graduates passed out from the University of Colombo is negligible when we compare the number of graduates who are passing out today from different Universities in Sri Lanka.

The writer proceeds to compare the Police Service with other Government Services such as Govt. Clerical Service, Prisons Dept., Ceylon Administrative Service etc. This is far from the truth. In reality, the duties and functions of the Police Dept. are wide and varied. We have been engaged in para-military operations for more than 20 years. In my option, it is an illogical proposition to argue about. For instance, in the Armed Services, the officers who work hard with devotion and commitment coupled with merit/outstanding performance only are recommended for promotion to the highest rank or position. There is competition to display their merit to rise to the highest rank.

In the light of the above, I suggest that the writer peruse the proceedings of the Trial-at-Bar which tried the abortive Coup d’etat attempt in 1962. The Presiding Judge at the conclusion of the Trial-at-Bar, had observed that a non-Policeman should not be appointed as the head of the Police Department. At the time, the attempted Coup d’etat took place the Head of the Service was a Civil Servant drawn from another Govt. Dept. This was between 1959 to 1963. Being a civilian head of Dept. he lacked the basic knowledge of a Police Constable to direct investigations at a time when the democratically elected Govt. was about to be overthrown by a handful of conspirators from the Police and the Armed Services. (Please refer judgment page 245)

The writer alleges that the officers who rose from the ranks are used to resorting to bribery and corruption including A.S.PP/S.SPP & D.I.GG. Can he substantiate or support his statement with facts and figures? Is he sure that only those officers who rose from the ranks are dishonest and corrupt? If bribery and corruption is prevalent among the rank and file of the Service, the total responsibility lies with the officers who are holding office as administrators in the rank of S/DIG or even the IGP. My question is whether any concrete steps have been taken to eradicate this social menace by those officers who have been directly recruited as P/ASPP and rose up to those positions?

Lastly, regarding the writers remarks under estimating our association, I am sorry to say that the writer is ignorant of the formation of our association. It was formed even before Sri Lanka gained her independence from the British Raj. It comprises a membership of around 8000, and our main objective is to look after the welfare of our members. Our association even pays income tax to the Inland Revenue Dept.

I would like to end by stating that the SLPIA has a vision and mission to build up a conscientious and efficient Police Service for the betterment of future generations.