The first step

Friday, 8 June 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A top Police official being accused of corruption is a rare occurrence in Sri Lanka. Not because they are incredibly honest, but because they are better equipped to evade punishment. Given this scenario, the fact that a public official is being held accountable for his actions is definitely a step in the right direction.

Galle DIG Hector Dharmasiri was issued notice by Colombo Chief Magistrate Rashmi Singappuli on Thursday. The DIG was accused of using four officers of the Civil Defence Force at the Raththota Police Station and one Police Constable of the Matale Police Station to build his house in Minuwangoda.

The incident had occurred when the DIG was an SSP in charge of the Matale area. The Commission for Bribery and Corruption presented 15 counts relating to fraud and corruption against the DIG to the Chief Magistrate. The court issued notice to the DIG to be present at court on 26 July for further hearing.

Whether it is custody deaths or accusations of torture, the normal code of conduct is to transfer the offending officers and hold an investigation that the public is rarely privy to. In one instance during February of this year officials felt it was wiser to transfer all 122 members of the Mahiyangana Police Station with no explanation as to the reasons rather than divulge their offences.

Readers will also remember that a Police officer accused of murdering a mentally challenged man by repeatedly beating him with a pole until he drowned in the sea was returned to the Police force on bail. The footage caused mass horror when it was aired widely several years ago.

When the special force of the Police, the Special Task Force (STF), is accused of treasure hunting, there are endless explanations offered by officials, yet there is decidedly less enthusiasm to wipe out corruption within the Police force and depoliticise it.

It is true that as much as the Police are at times victimisers, they are also victims, which is why it is so important that the institution established to uphold law and order first follows what it preaches. Unless corrupt officials within the force are dealt with by the law, disrespect and disregard for the Police will only grow in Sri Lanka.

Law and order are fast declining in Sri Lanka’s society. Therefore, the lack of internal 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.

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 stopgap measures are only going to be short-term solutions – or even worse, not solutions at all.

With the action taken in the latest case, it can only be 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.