Stemming crime wave, priority:

Professional police force, the aim - Prof. Siri Hettige

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The National Police Commission (NPC) set up under the 19th Amendment is a firm undertaking given to the electorate by the National Unity Government. NPC Chairman, Prof. Siri Hettige told the Sunday Observer they were looking at the entire Police service from a holistic perspective and addressing issues from a whole range of angles.

He said a police service which is professional, high quality and receptive to public needs was the need of the hour.

At present, the NPC is looking at crime prevention and curtailing the wave of crime as a priority. The NPC is in a bid to change public perception of the police and improving relations between the police and the public.

Q: How will the re-establishment of the National Police Commission (NPC) help depoliticise the Police and make it more independent?

A: The NPC is an independent body and should act independently. The purpose is to ensure independence for the NPC to carry out its task without let or hindrance. I think this question will not arise in the future as the NPC has been empowered to act independently.

Q: There are many issues with regard to Police transfers and promotions. Does the NPC plan to review these issues and take corrective action and also propose a new methodology for transfers and promotions?

A: This is being discussed right now and we have already appointed several committees to look into these issues. Within the next few months, we would come up with a rational scheme in consultation with the Police, particularly with the IGP.

Q: Most of the people have a negative impression of the Police. How do you plan to enhance Police-public relations?

A: This is one of the key areas that we are focusing on. We want to improve relations between the Police and the public. We have to look at a whole range of issues. But we cannot change this all of a sudden. We are working on a number of areas and have decided on a range of stakeholder-consultations in the near future. This will make the Police service not only independent but also receptive to public needs and also enable them to deal with the public in a sensible manner. We will also improve the image, quality and the efficiency of the Police service.

Q: There are allegations against the Police being involved in corruption. How do you hope to tackle this issue?

A : These are the areas that we need to seriously focus attention and develop strategies to deal with such cases. We are going to discuss various aspects of the Police service including allegations which you mentioned. We hope to develop various strategies in consultation with the Police and other stakeholders. In the near future, we would overcome some of these longstanding issues.

Q: There is a dire need to give more training for police personnel. Any plans to address this issue?

A: Training facilities are already available and it is important to look at the aspect of training. Training is a critical aspect of professionalism and we need to create more opportunities for advanced training and open avenues for higher education in the sector.

At present, there is a proposal to set up a Police University and this is being discussed now. In the near future, there will be a university dedicated to the Police service to give them wide ranging opportunities for skills development, change of attitude and orientation about the Police. This would also give Police personnel an understanding of various issues that they have to deal within their scope of work.

We are looking at the entire Police service from a holistic perspective and trying to address issues from whole range of angles. We want to have a Police service which is professional, high quality and receptive to public needs. At present, we are looking at crime prevention and attempt to reduce the wave of crime. We also want to look at working conditions and welfare of Police officers and rectify issues they face.

We are also trying to establish inter-institutional links. The work fulfilled by the Police has implications on other institutions. We will educate other institutions to play a role in crime prevention. At the end of the day, what we really want to see a reduction in crime.

That is good for society and the Police because then the Police will have only a few cases to handle. If the Police is overwhelmed by handling criminal cases, they cannot act in an effective manner.

There are issues about alcohol and drugs. If people feel unsafe in their neighbourhoods, the Police alone cannot handle it. Community organisations must be activated. Civil Society Committees can also play a role in crime prevention.

We also have Mediation Boards to settle disputes. It is minor disputes which lead to bigger crimes, including murder. All Mediation Boards must play a major role in dispute settlement.

Q: What is the progress of the Police attack on the HNDA students recently?

A: The NPC has appointed a committee of inquiry to conduct an investigation on this incident. We will have the report soon and see what really happened and also see how we could prevent similar incidents in the future.

Q: The NPC has also received over hundred public complaints regarding the Police. What is the progress with regard to these complaints?

A: One of the main functions of the NPC is to inquire into public complaints and a committee has also been eset up ion this regard. The committee is now dealing with these complaints and we are trying to expedite the complaints and respond to them.

Q: We have also seen many other instances of Police brutality on video clips made by onlookers and there have been many reports of deaths while in police custody. Any action on such incidents? How do you plan to eradicate or minimise such instances?

A: There have been complaints and these complaints are being investigated. action will be taken regarding these complaints. I cannot give details on a specific case but overall these complaints are being inquired into.