Unit to probe complaints against police officers

by Jayampathy Jayasinghe

The National Police Commission (NPC) will shortly approve the setting up of a Public Complaints Division to investigate complaints made against the police department or any police officer. Senior Assistant Secretary or a retired public servant is tipped to be appointed to head the division, sources said.

The NPC has already selected ten investigators from 65 applicants who will assist Provincial Co-ordinators in recording and investigating complaints made against police officers. The nine Co-ordinators are expected to assume duties in their provinces shortly. Their offices will be set up in government buildings away from police stations to generate public confidence.

Meanwhile, the National Police Commission has promoted eleven Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) including five retired persons as directed by the Supreme Court. The following Senior Supdts. of Police (SSPs) were promoted by the NPC on August 2. H. N. B. Ambanwala, H. W. A. Anthony (retired), H. A. Levangama, J. S. Udawatte (retired) T. Wanigaratne (retired) M. A. Kamaldeen, R. S. P. Siriwardena, D. C. Kariyawasam (retired) H. G. Wickramasinghe, D. P. L. Dassanayake (retired) H. V. P. L. de Silva.

According to NPC sources several Senior Superintendents of Police who were dissatisfied by the promotions effected by the NPC in May 2005 to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police filed Fundamental Rights petitions in the Supreme Court.

Thereafter, the Supreme Court directed the National Police Commission to hold interviews to fill the vacancies of DIGs. Interviews will also be held to fill the vacancies of five retired DIGs shortly. The NPC has decided that due recognition should be given to seniority while considering merit as a criteria.