IGP urges Police to work with more vigour:

Stern warning to nightclub owners

BY SARATH Malalasekera

IN the wake of kudos received from the Head of State on the efficiency of Police Department in dealing with big time crime, IGP Chandra Fernando has urged his charges to aim higher to justify the confidence placed in them.

As an initial step the IGP has decided to come down hard on nightclub owners who breach the code of decency by encouraging vice and other excesses within their premises that had led to many incidents like the Royal Park murder.

"I appeal to all nightclub owners to fall in line with the law or face dire consequences. If any club owners violate the law of the land they would be dealt with severely," the IGP told the Daily News.

Police and Excise officials last week raided several night spots and suspended several bar licenses at these centres. The crackdown came in the wake of the Royal Park murder in which the names of several night clubs figured prominently.

Buoyed by the plaudits received from President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on the success achieved by the Police Department in the dealing with big time organised crime, the Police chief has urged his charges to continue the good work by stepping up their vigilance to eradicate vice and stamp out crime from society.

"We as law enforcing officers have a duty to protect society, specially the younger generation. Nightclub owners should be aware of that and bear in mind not to introduce or practice anything harmful to society," the IGP emphasised.

President Kumaratunga on Wednesday in a letter to the IGP praised the Police Department for the steps taken to combat the increasing crime rate.

Addressing senior and junior Policemen in the Hill Capital yesterday, the Police chief said that President Kumaratunga had praised the Police Department highly, and therefore they should maintain that trust placed in them by the Head of State and work harder to bring more credit to the Department.

All Policemen in the Department have begun in earnest to wipe out criminal elements which had posed a threat to society.

"While arresting the suspects, we should also protect the rights of the suspects. Otherwise we will not be able to provide a quality service," the IGP emphasised.

"We should work to combat domestic violence which is very prevalent in society and also to minimise human rights abuses," the IGP remarked.

The IGP also stressed on the need for providing adequate facilities to his personnel in order to get the best out of every officer.

"If we don't develop a good working environment, Police personnel will not be able to deliver a good service to the public, who will then be a frustrated lot."

"I as head of the Police Department have to look into their problems such as promotions, housing, transfers and salary issues faced by the rank and file. These things have to be given priority in order to maintain law and order efficiently," the IGP added.

The IGP has introduced several new areas of training under a special management concept like community policing, conflict resolution, human rights law and 'Territorial Policing.'

Under this special management concept, the IGP has set up a unit mainly to protect women and children from harassment and provide protection for their safe living.