Indiscipline in police

Friday, 10 February 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The transfer of 122 policemen in the Mahiyangana police station has created headlines and left many wondering as to whether this is a positive development. On the surface, officials insist that the sudden change was due to disciplinary issues but the question remains as to whether this was overkill, and if not, what exactly is being concealed from the people.

The fact that all transferred policemen have not requested to have their transfer revoked is another sign that there is more here than meets the eye. Even when other police stations have been caught red handed in custody killings or torture, there has been little action taken to transfer the entire group of policemen. This makes one wonder what level of corruption existed at the Mahiyangana station and what brought it all to a head.

Given that the police force in Sri Lanka is a highly politicised one, the transfer could also have been ordered by politically motivated causes – though there is little indication of this at present. While future news reports might shed greater light on the matter, the problems enshrined in the police force will not be addressed by this transfer. Why is it that despite rapidly decreasing relations between the police and the people, there is little attempt to promote transparency and good governance within the police?

If the Mahinyangana incident is to set a precedent does this mean that every other police station convicted of indiscipline will see its members transferred around the country? Is transfer not the most incompetent way to deal with indiscipline as it merely removes the problem to a different station rather than solving it? Should not the officers in question be subject to a full investigation that will address the real issues behind the alleged indiscipline rather than transferring them to another station that could well have the same problem? If the policemen in question are guilty then suitable punishments and rehabilitation courses would be a better course of action. But these are rarely the practical initiatives in Sri Lanka.

Law and order are fast declining in Sri Lanka’s society. Therefore, internal lack of discipline in the police is nothing new. Hampered by low recognition, salary scales and difficult work conditions, policemen are tempted to take bribes and the culture of impunity and rank politicisation that has taken over has done little to dissipate this situation. So not only is indiscipline ignored, it is allowed to grow as long as it is in line with the expectations of those in power.

So the police are actually victims as well as victimisers. Without a clear disciplinary procedure how can indiscipline be controlled? Indiscipline exists in virtually all police stations in Sri Lanka to varying degrees. This means that transfers and other stop gap measures are only going to be short term solutions – or even worse, not solutions at all.

Whatever the reasons behind the Mahiyangana transfer, it is hoped that top officials can make equally decisive but more constructive decisions regarding the discipline of the police force. The police need to lead by example.