A video which shows a group of youths confronting several Police officers who have allegedly planted drugs in the former’s vehicle is going viral on social media platforms, reigniting concerns about Police officers abusing power for personal gain. It is alleged that the Police officers have done so in an attempt to extort money from those who were travelling in the vehicle, and the Police are taking steps to launch a formal investigation into the incident.

While the country is yet to learn about what truly happened and who is in the wrong, the allegation levelled against the Police is not a new one. Police officers abusing powers to intimidate, extort money often in the form of bribes, and to issue fines has remained a key part of the overall discussion on irregularities on the part of the Police force. 

A number of local and international studies and human rights activists have also pointed out various incidents where the Police abused their powers ranging from verbal and physical harassment during arrests to custodial deaths and torture of a serious nature. Impunity for perpetrators, regarding which attention has been paid at the international level, is also a part of this discussion.

That is exactly why the authorities, especially the Police force and the Public Security Ministry, should strive to conduct an impartial and evidence-based investigation into the incident. This investigation should not be merely about the abovementioned incident. It should also be a step towards restoring the tarnished name of Sri Lanka’s Police.

There are two groups waiting to see the results of an impartial investigation.

Firstly, the people of Sri Lanka have a right to demand an impartial investigation. They maintain the Police force through taxes, and the primary duty of the Police force is to protect and serve the public. Even in this case, the allegedly aggrieved party is a group of civilians, and this is merely one of many allegations of the abuse of power by the Police. In this context, the Police have to, not only conduct an impartial investigation but also ensure that these investigations are transparent.

Secondly, the international community, especially human rights actors closely monitoring the country’s human rights situation, should also feel that the authorities did their best to ensure that this investigation was an impartial one. Sri Lanka is going through a tough time where the international community’s assistance is necessary now and for the foreseeable future. This includes international financial institutions, international human rights groups, international charity organisations, friendly nations, and alliances such as the European Union and the United Nations all of whom care about the human rights situation and rule of law in Sri Lanka. Needless to say, the country is currently in a difficult situation as many human rights violations, including those pertaining to the abuse of powers by the Police and the defence forces, are being discussed. In this context, it is minor yet important incidents such as the abovementioned issue that provides Sri Lanka an opportunity to garner the said parties’ support in economic recovery.

At the same time, cooperation with various countries’ law enforcement agencies has become immensely important in the current context. A number of local organised criminals are committing crimes in Sri Lanka from abroad, while criminals fleeing to foreign countries after committing major crimes has become a common occurrence. If the Police’s name keeps getting mentioned in the media as an abuser, it would be difficult for Sri Lanka to build partnerships with foreign law enforcement agencies and to enter into extradition agreements with friendly nations.

Regardless of who is at fault, which is yet to be found out, the results of the investigation will make a difference only if they were conducted in a transparent manner. As was said by a former Chief Justice of England, Gordon Hewart, “justice should not only be done, but should also be seen to be done.”