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All policemen to adhere to code of ethics - Minister of Interior

A Code of Ethics to be followed by all grades of Police officers in the performance of their duties will come into effect from March 8 when all officers will take the oath to abide by the code, said Minister of Interior and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga when he inaugurated the work at the Kadawatha Police Station after it was re-developed and upgraded as a Model Police Station recently.

The Minister said that the IGP Anandarajah has formulated the Code of Ethics for the first time in the history of the Police Department and this would be a guideline for Police officers in the future.

Present on the occasion were Suranimala Rajapakse, Minister of School Education, Ravindra Randeniya, MP Gampaha district, Athula Nimalasiri Jayasinghe, PA MP for Gampaha district, several senior DIGs, SSPs and a cross-section of residents and business community of Kadawatha.

Kadawatha Police station is the third Police station to be upgraded and developed to afford an efficient and courteous service to the public and tackling of crime and vices through introduction of new technology like computers, fax machines, communication facilities as well as providing special training to the Police officers in improving public relations and management techniques. Earlier Bambalapitiya and Maharagama Police Stations were upgraded as Model Police Stations. Minister said that the idea of improving the services at the Police station was first mooted by the members of the Ministry's Advisory Committee headed by Mr. Mihindu Keerthiratne, a well-known architect cum entrepreneur who are offering their services free. Many of the Police stations are functioning with 18th century facilities and age old practices not suited to the modern day requirements.

It is time the Police Department moved with the times and this was why they decided that at least a few Police stations should be developed as Model Police Stations for a start for others to follow. As the State did not have adequate funds, they thought of getting the assistance of the private sector to donate the required equipment and improve the buildings as well as train the Police personnel to meet the needs of the public and tackling crime. For example Police personnel are trained to receive all those coming to Police stations courteously and record the complaints on the computers and give a copy of the complaint immediately. Further with the computer network Police stations can liaise with each other in tackling crime and exchanging information.

The Minister said since he took over office several programmes were set in motion to develop police-public relations so as to dispel the fear in most people to go to a Police station. With normalcy in the country restored after a civil war there is a tendency for increase in crime and it is up to all Police officers to discharge their duties without fear or favour. With the appointment of the Police Commission there would not be political interference as in the past.

He said that several Police posts are being set up according to the needs of the area such as concentration of population and occurrence of crime and vices and considering the distance of an area from the regular Police station. The presence of the Police in such areas goes a long way in tackling crime as well as prevention of accidents. He made a special appeal to the Police officers to crack down on illicit liquor manufacture, gambling and drug traffickers which pose a grave threat to society.

It is with a view to act as a deterrent to committing crimes that they are contemplating re-introducing the death penalty. He said that the Government Parliamentary Group which discussed this matter recently is in favour of the proposal and it is intended to present a special motion in Parliament supporting the re-introduction of the death penalty to get the views of all sections. Once the motion is adopted it would be sent to the President who would be the ultimate authority in implementing it as legislation for death penalty is already on the statute.

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