By Aires Rodrigues.
A politically independent police force that is able to effectively ensure law and order is the key to the prosperity and well being ofany State.
This government came to power on a solemn pledge of a Parivartan. Nothing seems to have changed. Even the Goa police continues to lack any independence in its functioning. The police force continues to be puppets in the hands of politicians in power. The Director General of Police (DGP) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) have no say whatsoever in transfers and promotion of police personnel with the Chief Minister, Ministers and ruling MLAs calling the shots.
A small State like Goa has a police force of over 6000. This government is in the process of recruiting more. What is required are not more political recruits but proper and judicious deployment of the existing force by ensuring its proper utilization. Good policing cannot be achieved by merely having more cops on the streets. The techniques of proper surveillance have to be upgraded. Proper investigation cannot be achieved by just increasing the numbers of an already swollen police constabulary. Crime needs to be curbed by bolstering community and neighborhood watch on criminal activities.This task however becomes arduous when politicians are themselves the perpetrators if not the cohorts in breaking and violating the law.
Ministers have appropriated the authority to assign postings of all police ranks, from Inspectors to constables and even the post of SPs to Dy SPs. The intent and manner behind depriving the DGP and IGP of their authority in such routine administrative matters is deplorable.The damage done to the status of the DGP and IGP is incalculable and unacceptable. Today the DGP and IGP cannot even transfer or disciplinea constable.
It was on the directions of the Supreme Court that State Governments were directed to set up a Police establishment board to oversee the transfer of police personnel. The intent was to improve and monitor the functioning of the Police system. The Supreme Court was very candid clear that the police force should be totally insulated fromany political pressure, whatsoever, so as to be able to secure thecitizen's rights under the Constitution. The Police should be allowed to discharge their fundamental duties of ensuring strict enforcementof the law and maintaining order. For good public policing the politicians should never use the police to target their political opponents and to silence voices of dissent. Politicians publicly speakabout the independence of the police and of the law taking its owncourse. The ground reality is very different as they interfere andintervene in the day to day functioning of the police.
We have many good and smart policemen. But unfortunately their brains and investigative skills are locked in the custody of the politicianswhose line they have to tow. A college degree is no longer a novelty,and there are now police constables with graduate degrees as well. Even some constables have an academic education way beyond that of some of our Ministers and MLAs. This is an encouraging trend. It istime to make the Police force function as a professionally-competent body and not as mere agents of the political party in power. A small state like Goa can have optimum levels of peace and tranquility butthe rising crime is a matter of great concern. If immediate correctivesteps are not taken we may plunge to a point of no return.
Today murders, thefts and rapes are on the increase. At times the Police lack the will to investigate because of political pulls and pressures. The Government should ponder and investigate the cause of crime. Unless we have the vision and spine to get to the root of the problem, any superficial steps would be merely cosmetic and would not yield long-lasting results.
Due to political interference, the police often shelve criminal complaints on the excuse that the subject matter is of a civil nature. And instances are also galore where at the behest of politicians thepolice swiftly and highhandedly proceed with criminal action in civildisputes.
There has to be a consensus to ensure that the police get their independence and identity. It is a shame that officers have over they ears been manipulated and tamed by the powers that be and that infact the officers have no role to play except dance to the tunes of those in power. In effect they have been bound and gagged. The frequent transfer and victimization of police officers at the instance of politicians has to stop. It affects the morale and credibility of the officers while adversely affecting their performance.
In its Mission Statement, the Goa Police had resolved to give peoplean efficient, law abiding and responsive law enforcement machinery. Independence of the police force is a must and Ministers & MLA’s should stop controlling police stations. Powers to transfer and discipline police personnel should vest solely with the DGP and IGP. There has to be a consensus amongst all politicians on the need to allow the Police force to function freely and independently devoid of any political interference and manipulation whatsoever. It is hightime there is a concerted effort in this direction. Only then can we inch towards a peaceful and crime free Goa.
May the Goa Police be inspired by the words of Sir Robert Peel, who was known as the Father of Modern community policing“ Police seek and preserve public favour not by catering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law. The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence”
( the writer can be contacted on 9822684372 or airesrodrigues@gmail.com)
