SRI LANKA: Modernising of the police – an example from Kerala

Translation of the Circular issued by the Kerala Police Department:

Kerala Police Information Centre

No: 405/PR/PIC/PHQ/15

Date: 03 July 2015

 

Teams to be formed for research and reform of the police force

Teams will be formed having specialist police officers, and persons outside the police force like academics, experts in technology, and social sciences, for the state police force to seek advice and opinion from these teams, to formulate action plans for police reforms in the state.

The Director General of Police (DGP), Mr. T. P. Sen Kumar, has ordered such teams to be formed, since the DGP is of the opinion, that today, the state police has to daily undertake duties that require expertise in diverse subjects, for which progressive ideas and protocols are to be adopted within the force. Research and Development (R&D) teams will be formed at the state level and also at the level of different police ranges within the state for this.

The DGP also notes that even though there are specialists and well-informed officers heading different limbs of the police force, the existing chain of command has become an obstacle for these officers to implement their progressive ideas within the force. It is understood that currently there are only very limited opportunities that the force could benefit from retired police officers who have expertise on different aspects of modernising the police force, experts outside the police force like social scientists, the civil society, persons with social commitment, jurists, and scientists. Forming of the police reform teams will help bridge this big gap.

Those who have expertise in information technology, forensic science, scientific and modern crime investigation, law, traffic management, communications, mob control, language studies, media, sports, arts, health, administration, development, buildings and construction, training, disaster management, explosive substances and devices, road safety, improvement of police station administration and daily operations, are all invited to join the new teams to be formed, to advise the state police force on how and where to modernise the force. The senior-most person in each team will lead the team.

Any police officer that has a proven performance record of expertise in any of the above subjects, and is interested to join any of the teams, could join that team. Services rendered by all in a team will be voluntary. Each team should gather information and study the subject of its specialisation, and suggest to the state police force what reforms the force must implement on that subject. The state police will also seek expert advice from non-controversial organisations and individuals located outside the country, and this will be a long-term engagement.

The DGP also is of the opinion that the R&D teams will encourage good police officers to study subjects and implement concepts within the force so that their daily job and responsibilities will become a satisfying and respectful engagement.

Police officers who wish to join any particular team should inform through proper channel (through their unit heads) their willingness within July 2015.