KOCHI: Former DGP T P Senkumar on Friday said unhealthy practices can be weeded out from 80 per cent of the investigations in the state if the top brass issued their orders in writing. Senkumar was speaking at a seminar on ‘Police and Rule of Law’ organised by Ernakulam Karayogam in association with Anti-Corruption People’s Movement and RTI Kerala Federation.
“In majority of the cases, the senior officers verbally give orders to subordinates. When things go wrong the senior officer will not own it up and subordinates end up as the fall guy,” he said. The officers should issue orders in writing at the earliest,according to Senkumar. “If such a system is implemented, no superior officer will dare issue wrong orders to subordinates,” he said.
The trouble starts when the police start implementing the rule of the ruler rather than rule of law, Senkumar said. He also lashed out against the arbitrary transfer of police officers which will deter honest officers from going about their job with integrity.
Senkumar said it is difficult to prevent entry of criminals into the police force.
“Even though UPSC and PSC conduct the exams in a free and fair manner, this cannot be stopped. Such officers will always extend their reach with the help of undue influence. This can change only if there is a major overhaul of the recruitment process,” he said.