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| Sunday, 10 November 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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New action plan by police to combat crime - IGP by Don Asoka Wijewardena Police organisation and its progress in Sri Lanka, as in any other country, is a complex task. The total elimination and prevention of crime are the primary targets of the police. In this context it is distinctly clear that the police have to be thoroughly organised to combat crime and its associated elements. This needs meticulous planning and vigorous implementation of an effective action plan which is intended to reorganise the structure of the police force to facilitate efficiency, particularly in the prevention and detection of crime. To achieve this objective under the directive of the IGP,the police have restructured the "Crime Command". This was revealed by the Inspector General of Police, T.E. Anandarajah, in an interview with the Sunday Observer. Here are the excerpts of the interview: Q. Of late, criminal activities have been on the increase despite the police intensifying its security and search operations to nab criminals. Has the police department formulated an effective strategy to deal with the rising tide of criminal activities? A. Since I assumed office as IGP, the most important task is to restructure the entire operations systems in the department, and I have prepared an action plan for three months. It is known as Crime Command which has two components - (1) DIG in respective ranges will handle crime. For this purpose I felt it was necessary to appoint a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in charge of crime under the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in each territorial range. (2) The SSP will operate through the Divisional Crime Detection Bureau of the Headquarters Division of the range. He will co-ordinate and where appropriate direct all activities pertaining to crime, organised crime and crime prevention within the respective ranges and directly report to the DIG of the range. I am quite sure this new procedure will bring good results. Q. It is common knowledge that there is a direct link between drug addiction and criminal activities as hardcore users usually become violent when they have no money to buy hard drugs. I also understand that a large number of school children have taken to drugs. Do you have new plans to deal with the drug menace? A. Yes,I have already issued directives to the DIG (Narcotic Bureau) to deploy more police officers in civvies to detect and arrest individuals who are in possession of drugs. The DIG (Narcotics) will also deploy civil police personnel near schools to check any suspicious boutiques, restaurants or shops where most drug sellers have connections. Q. The image of the police department is not so good as a result of certain officers being allegedly involved in dealing with criminals. What have you to say? A. It is regretful to note that certain newspapers publish hostile comments about the police.There may be a few officers who have some involvements with criminals but stern action will be taken against them if found guilty. To build confidence with the general public, efforts have been made to provide links between police and community, particularly under certain circumstances. The police, who are supposed to maintain law and order are often perceived as hostile invaders. My initial plan is to set up crime prevention units in selected areas where police officers are required to visit schools, community groups, business centres, giving lectures on anti-crime activities. I feel that efforts so far made to bring the community close to the police have not brought desired results. Q. Traffic accidents have posed a big threat to the general public, especially to school children. A large number of private bus drivers do not have valid driving licences and proper training. Has the police department introduced new rules to prevent accidents? A. Yes. With the ever-increasing number of vehicles and accidents, traffic management is essential and a new action plan will be prepared to handle this in an organised manner. Enforcement should be given priority. In that action plan, appropriate proposals will be made to enhance punishment. There is need for educating the general public regarding the use of roads with a view to preventing motor accidents. Q. Do you intend to promote professionalism which can boost the morale of police officers? A. I am compelled to concentrate on stabilising the morale of the police force. Although some senior officers have criticised the department, I am vehemently opposed to all these and have always proved that the police stand by their performance. I have devoted my time, energy and ability to build a strong police force to maintain law and order. At present accountability is a forgotten word in the department because it has come to a stage when officers who are accountable are not taken to task for their failures. Every police officer is accountable for the community he serves, for the services he renders and to his superiors for his performance. Services should be timely, efficient, effective and relevant to the need, or serve the purpose. To enhance the standard of performance, a reward scheme has been implemented with cash rewards of a sum of Rs. 10,000 to SPs, Rs. 25,000 to DIGs and Rs. 40,000 to Senior DIGs. |
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