Speaker requests Police Commission to act sternly against law-breaking Police personnel

• Speaker met National Police Commission members in his capacity as CC Chairman
• Urges NPC to act against corrupt police personnel
• Says recent incidents have made people lose trust in Police Department

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday urged the members of the National Police Commission to take stern action against Police personnel involved in bribery, drug dealing, and taking ransom.

The Speaker made this request when he met with the members of NPC at the Parliamentary Complex in his capacity as the Chairman of the Constitutional Council, which is responsible for the appointing members to independent Commissions, including the NPC. During the meeting, the Speaker pointed out that recent allegations against certain Police officers and their conduct has tarnished the image of the Police Department, leading to loss of public trust.

National Police Commission (NPC) Chairman K.W. Ekanayake Karaliyadda, and its members Savithri Wijesekara, Thilak Kollure, Y.L.M. Swahir, Gamini Nawarathna, Ashoka Wiejaythilaka, and G. Jeyakumar, were present at the meeting with Speaker Jayasuriya.

The NPC was established under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, and commenced its operations on 23 October 2015. The commission is entrusted with two major functions, viz., efficient and effective management of human resources of the Police, and safeguarding the public from unlawful action or inaction by the Police. The Constitution empowers the Commission for the appointment, promotion, transfer, disciplinary control, and dismissal of Police officers.

The Commission also establishes procedures to entertain and investigate public complaints, and complaints of any aggrieved person, made against a Police officer or the Police service, and provide redress as provided by law.

The Commission, in consultation with the IGP, determine all matters regarding Police officers, including the formulation of schemes of recruitment, promotion, and transfers, subject to any policy determined by the Cabinet of Ministers; training and the improvement of the efficiency and independence of the Police service; the nature and type of the arms, ammunition and other equipment necessary for the use of the National Division and the Provincial Divisions; and codes of conduct and disciplinary procedures. (AH)