Policing the Police
Two stories in our Saturday’s edition highlighted just
two instances when Police, the guardians of law and order, were
found on the other side of the law.
As the first story revealed, the Colombo High Court has
sentenced two policemen to seven years Rigorous Imprisonment for
torturing a woman.
It is well known that Police had used torture as a means of
getting information, in complete contravention of human rights
norms and practices.
This is indeed not the first instance when a policeman was
jailed for torture and if remedial measures are not taken, it
may not be the last.
All policemen from top to bottom must respect human rights.
The Government has made it clear that it would not protect any
police officer(s) or Services personnel who abuse human rights.
This message must go through to the rank and file of the
Police and the Forces. Countrywide awareness programmes must be
conducted for police personnel on the importance of upholding
the rights of individuals.
Every suspect should be treated as innocent until proven and
declared guilty by a court of law.
The Police must not take the law into their own hands. That
is best left to the judiciary, though the Police are free to
present any evidence they may have against an accused.
It is true that we live in extraordinary times. The State is
battling a ruthless terror outfit and Police and Security Forces
have an enormous responsibility to ensure that terrorists do not
cause any acts of sabotage and destruction in the South.
A state of Emergency has been declared and several provisions
of the Prevention of Terrorism act have been re-activated, under
which Police and Armed Forces can take certain measures which
are not possible under normal laws.
As many have pointed out, a hundred per cent human rights
record may not be possible in a conflict situation.
Nevertheless, Police and Armed Forces have a duty to adhere
to human rights norms when arresting and questioning suspects.
Torture must not figure in their list of methods of
interrogation.
Police must bear in mind that they are not above the law. All
are equal before the law. There cannot be one law for the
ordinary citizens and another for the Police.
Unfortunately, that seems to be the attitude of the Police,
right from the novice to the top.
The story we published on the Police on Saturday about a
senior Police Officer who blatantly jumped a red light and the
lower ranker who saluted him offers ample testimony.
The reader who sent us this story says the traffic policeman
initially wanted to stop the motorist to write a ticket. Having
realised that it was a senior policeman, he smartly lifted his
arm in salute.
Although humorous, it is no laughing matter. This story
proves that policemen think they can break the law and get away
with it. And they do. The story is similar for every other
motoring offence - speeding, phoning while driving, no parking,
one way regulations etc.
If that motorist was an ordinary individual (i.e. not a
politician, police officer or Armed Forces officer) what could
have been his fate? He would have been stopped, given a stern
lecture and snapped a fine. Yet, the police officer goes scot
free and to add insult to injury, the traffic policeman has the
audacity to salute the offender.
It is just this type of attitude that will keep us forever in
the Third World. In Western countries, even Heads of State,
leave alone policemen, are booked by traffic police.
Here, on the other hand, policemen do not want to get
transfers to remote outposts by engaging in such unthinkable
heroics.
We have observed how police vehicles and politicians’
motorcades break every rule in the book. A heightened state of
security is no excuse for demonic and moronic driving on public
roads. Police and lawmakers must set an example to others.
They should uphold the law so that others may follow. Only
then can we create a truly law-abiding citizenry. |