Civilian officer to nip crime in the bud

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

A civilian officer with a sociological background has been appointed to the police department to do an indepth study on the pattern of serious crime plaguing the country and recommend preventive measures to nip such crime in the bud.

The officer who will be attached to the Criminal Record Office is expected to submit a report to the IGP within the next few weeks highlighting the causes that led to such heinous crime being committed, Police Media spokesmen, SP, Ajith Rohana told the Sunday Observer.

This was a sequel to the serial killings that took place at Kahawatte recently where nine elderly women were hacked to death with sharp cutting knives. Kahawatte has been earmarked as a case study to delve into the sociological and psychological issues that affect people in the village.

“The modus operandi of the suspects involved in the violent and brutal killings appears to be the same,” he said.

A survey will be conducted in other parts of the country as well to identify the socio-economic and psychological issues that impel people to commit violent crimes.

Last year the police conducted a study to appoint citizens to Advisory Committees to advise the police when peace and stability of the country is affected. Retired senior Government officials, religious leaders and others have been earmarked to be appointed to these advisory committees in 14,972 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the country.