• National Police Commission admits ASPs covering up colleagues’ transgressions
• NPC Chairman plans to amend 2007 circular 

Claiming that Police officers often cover up the wrongdoings of their colleagues and act in their favour, and that it has led to a rise in instances of misconduct among Police officers in the recent past, the National Police Commission (NPC) stated that it is currently in the process of preparing a series of new guidelines to prevent such incidents in the future.

Speaking to The Morning, NPC Chairman and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandra Fernando said: “Investigating complaints against Police officers is the responsibility of the Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) in charge of each Police District. Their job, among many others, is to look into the complaints and to take appropriate action, but I doubt it is being done properly. That is because they are biased towards their own; they try to cover up their colleagues’ misconduct. This is an issue with the Police culture. This has even been highlighted in Supreme Court judgements.”

Taking the matter into account, he said, the NPC has instructed the Police to refrain from such behaviour and to instead take necessary action regarding public complaints against the Police. Stressing that the NPC has acted in a fitting manner regarding complaints from the public against Police officers over incidents of abuse of power and acting partially, Fernando recommended to IGP Chandana D. Wickramaratne to take relevant disciplinary action against the officers concerned.

“The other reason for Police officers’ misconduct is the lack of a proper recruitment process. For instance, it is only after recruiting someone that the Police determine whether an individual fulfils the basic qualifications. Isn’t this an issue? There should be a proper mechanism to check the backgrounds of those who are being recruited by the Police. The candidates’ history as well as their family members’ history should also be checked. There was a circular issued in 2007 in that regard. Considering it has been more than 15 years since it was issued, the NPC is currently working on its development and will forward it to the IGP for future course of action,” added Fernando.

Incidents and allegations of Police officers, particularly high-ranking officials, abusing their power, inconveniencing the general public, and committing drug-related offences have increased significantly in the last few months. Several parties have also initiated legal action against certain Police officers who had allegedly abused their power during the protests that have been taking place across the country in the recent past. Complaints have also been made with the NPC as well as institutions such as the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption against the Police.