A disturbing trend seemed to have emerged alongside the current political crisis, which if allowed to continue unchecked could pose a serious threat to the law and order situation in the country. We are referring to the present confrontations between the Police and protestors near Galle Face, Temple Trees and elsewhere with the former increasingly at the receiving end of the protesting mobs which gives one the feeling that things are fast getting out of hand and the law and order situation placed in jeopardy.
As per the scenes shown on TV of these confrontations, the Police are often seen giving ground to the protestors and on the retreat which not only throws the country's premier law enforcement agency in a poor light but also emboldens the lawless elements elsewhere, which poses a grave danger to law and order. The situation should be redeemed fast and the Police told in no uncertain terms to be more assertive in dealing with unruly elements. They should demonstrate to one and all as to who really is in charge.
The scenes near Temple Trees amply demonstrated the helplessness of the Police in the wake of the violent gesticulations and open confrontations faced at the hands of the protestors. That the mob was bold enough to conduct themselves in this fashion near the official residence of the Prime Minister, no less, certainly could give ideas to other lawless elements to disregard law and order and do as they please which can pose a real threat to ordinary peace-loving citizens.
The IGP should take immediate steps to order his personnel to be more assertive in the face of the open challenges thrown by the protestors and in no way give ground, whatever the threats posed. The Police, after all, should do justice to the khaki uniform which at one time inspired fear and awe among the ordinary folk and acted as an effective deterrent against lawlessness. True, incidents such as that which occurred in Rambukkana may have discouraged some Police officers in acting tough. The uncertainty surrounding the current political situation, too, may have given officers second thoughts in going all-out to deal with the protestors. Whatever may be the cause, the Police owe it to the peace-loving public for the sake of maintaining law and order in the country to take a more proactive stand vis-a-vis violent protests and lawlessness.
Or is it that the present Police are not adequately trained to deal with situations where angry mobs go on the rampage as was seen opposite Temple Trees and other such unruly actions in the outstations where mobs have even been bold enough to lay siege on the homes of Government Ministers and MPs? We say this because during the war years recruitment was done to the Police dispensing with the required criteria and without proper screening of the candidates due to the manpower shortage. Are we today paying a price for such lapses with most Police officers acting as mere bystanders in the face of unruly conduct before their very eyes?
Of course, this is not to say that there are no fearless and dedicated officers in the present Police Service. But witnessing the present scene one could not be faulted in coming to the conclusion that such offices are in a minority. The Police Service is badly in need of an overhaul. Former Law and Order Minister Rear Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekera often spoke of upgrading the Police Service and equipping it to meet modern demands and challenges. No doubt, crime has taken on new dimensions entwined as it is today with the drugs trade with gang related killings too on the rise.
Criminals have become bold and with the country awash with modern weapons fallout from the war - killings have become more frequent and regular, unlike in the past. There is also the question of white collar crime which the present day Police are not equal to the task of handling. What is needed is a modern Police Force which is capable of dealing with all situations and tackling crime in all its dimensions.
Police officers too should be made a contended lot. They should be given adequate remuneration in keeping with the risks and challenges associated with the profession. There should be no political interference in the duties of the Police or with regard to transfers and promotions. Police-public relations should be promoted and fostered as far as possible. Today, one of the reasons for the Police to lose public confidence is due to the fact that most regard the Police as an appendage of the Government in power and not as an independent civil law enforcement body. Such impressions should be corrected and the Police be allowed to function as an autonomous agency.
Police officers should not do the bidding of politicians nor should the men in khaki execute illegal orders to please anybody. It is time for a whole new-look Police Service with efficient and competent officers placed at the helm to transform the Police to its glory days of the past.
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