NPC receives over 5,460 public complaints against Police

• Eight complaints on death in Police custody

By Shanika Sriyananda

The National Police Commission (NPC) says that it had received over 5,460 complaints against Police officers including OICs in Police stations in all parts of the country.

The highest number of public complaints reported to the NPC is from the Western Province which amounted to 494.

Majority public complaints are lodged against Police inaction while abusing of power by Police officers listed as the second type of complaints. Among others are the complaints lodged against partiality, assault, unlawful arrest detention, framing false chargers and remanding, torture, bribery, corruption and vice offenses.

According to NPC statistics, from 2015 to 2018 over 28 public complaints against Police have been lodged for harassing women and children and abusing children.

In 2016, people have complained to the NPC regarding three deaths in Police custody. In 2017 and 2018 there have been five complaints against Police for killing suspects in custody.

Out of the total public complaints received against Police, the NPC has completed over 4,934 complaints and has taken actions including disciplinary and legal actions against over 300 Police officers.

The number of public complaints to the NPC against Police in the North and East has shown a marked increased with 18 complaints in 2015 reported from the North which has increased to 43 complaints against the Police in 2018. In the East, the number of complaints against Police was 12 in 2015 but in 2018 it had increased to 113 public complaints.   “With increased publicity about the functions and the legal actions taken by the NPC against the culprits in the Police, public complaints against Police have been increased significantly,” NPC Spokesman P.D. Liyanarachchi told the Daily FT.

Established in October 2015, public complaints against the Police which were lodged at 450 per year from 2011 to 2015, had increased to over 1,800 in 2016. Under Article 155 G (2) of the Constitution, the investigation of public complaints against Police and Police service is a key responsibility of the NPC.

“People have lodged their complaints against Police at the NPC Headquarters in Colombo and also to our offices in nine provinces. People can make their complaints either personally at the NPC, by written communications or emails,” he said.

Following the nature of the complaints, the NPC has the power to take action directly against the Assistant Superintendent of Police and above including OICs of Police stations while powers are given to the Inspector General of Police to take legal action against officers below Chief Inspectors of Police.

The NPC has established a special unit to look into the complaints on torture by the Police officers.

The NPC has also investigated the complaints or appeals by the Police officers against Police officers and over 450 such complaints have been lodged at the NPC.

Liyanarachchi said that the people’s trust in the NPC had increased and also with establishing the NPC and having unbiased investigation process, the Police officers were also cautious when investigating public complaints lodged at their respective Police stations.

“They take extra care when performing their duties and also in their investigations,” he said.