Police must act responsibly with a well thought plan

The recent incident where a traffic police officer “took the law into his own hands” went beyond his powers as a guardian of the law. Police officers cannot give vent to their emotions and punish the public on their own volition as there is a judicial process in accordance with the laws of our country.

It is certainly very primitive for a policeman to decide to mete out ‘spot’ justice. It is quite understandable that this officer was emotionally moved by his superior being knocked down by a vehicle driven carelessly by this driver; but he is a trained officer and should be aware of the legal action he can resort to. But he opts to punish the driver of the vehicle on his own, which is certainly a poor reflection on the discipline of the police department clearly showing that the discipline in the police has deteriorated sharply.

This may be due to several reasons. Discipline in the police and armed services is instilled during training and on the parade ground with the foundation laid mainly at these places and instilled by the supervisory officers like Sub-Inspectors and the Inspectors. Many OICs neglect this aspect and I, being an ex-policeman, saw even in our time that most police stations exempted traffic officers from parade. The result was indiscipline.

The Inspectorate is the backbone of the police service having great responsibility in instilling discipline and good conduct. Senior gazetted officers, unlike in the past, prefer to confine themselves to their office or be engaged in conferences rather than supervise officers in the field with an element of surprise.

If one visits the court houses it is quite evident that Sergeants and not Inspectors are conducting cases especially in magistrates’ courts. How many from the inspectorate can be found going on patrols and supervising the lower ranks in the night or those on beat duty? Their leadership qualities are certainly poor.

Lack of commitment by the senior gazetted officers, in terms of dedication and knowledge, results in lack of interest and enthusiasm in the lower ranks.

The way police officers ride motorcycles, not only ordinary policemen but even traffic officers, overtaking vehicles from the left at traffic lights and blatantly breaking the law indicates the standard of discipline in the police today.

Many accidents are the result of the lack of law enforcement by the police especially when three wheelers and motor cycles overtake from the left. Recently I had the experience of a motorcyclist suddenly overtaking from the left after I had signaled I was turning. I had no option but slam my brakes to prevent a serious accident. My car was damaged as a result and the motorcyclist pleaded with me for pardon.

Police officers are mere spectators not implementing or enforcing the law. Officers on duty are busy with their mobile phones and standing in the shade rather than performing their assigned tasks. Often police officers have contributed to accidents where policemen have been injured or killed. They must always anticipate negligent drivers when checking vehicles and take precautions by moving vehicles being checked to places of safety while having another officer watching the movement of traffic on the road.

How many policemen on traffic duty prosecute drivers or mobike riders for improper overtaking and negligent driving? Speeding buses compete with each other to pick up passengers endangering other road users. This is evident around 6.30 am on Nawala Road. Policemen turn a blind eye to such offences pretending not to see. Here again it’s probably a lack of knowledge with most of them clueless about proper note taking to institute court action.

The IGP must delegate senior officers to be on the field engaging in supervision without being office-bound to ensure proper traffic policing. At Police Headquarters there is a Senior DIG assigned to Traffic and Research. What is his priority when accidents occur? What organized preventive measures has he taken and what are his plans for the future? He should be in the field contributing towards prevention of accidents rather than warming his seat in the office.

Nihal de Alwis