Ex-DGP advocates minimum tenure of 2 yrs for senior cops

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath had a long discussion with former DGP Prakash Singh on improvement in policing in the state.

After his meeting with the CM, Singh said current DGP Sulkhan Singh, who is retiring this year, should be given a minimum of two years time to deliver. The Supreme Court, in its order as well as National Police Commission in its report, have called for two-year term for DGP, he said.

Singh, who is the architect of police reforms, has always advocated a minimum tenure of two years for senior cops. He also advocated for the police commissioner system in big cities on the lines of New Delhi.

He sounded optimistic, as he said that the process for improvement in law and order had begun under the new establishment. And the efforts were visible within two months of their governance.

“Yogi has been able to send a message to the public as well as the police force by not allowing domination of any caste in the appointments from DGP to thana level. The appointment of the new DGP was done on seniority and merit,” he said.

Singh suggested crackdown on the Mafiosi along with strict action against corrupt police officers. Over the appointment of ADG rank officers in police zones, Singh said, “It will have both positive and negative impact. In view of scarcity of IG rank officers, the state government decided to send ADGs to zone. Several important posts were lying vacant and large number of ADGs were not employed appropriately. By sending the ADGs to zone, the state government wishes to utilise the service of the officers of good integrity and competence,” he said.

The decision of the state government to appoint separate officers for investigation of crime cases would go a long way in improving law and order situation. Crime cases would decline once criminals get adequate punishment in court. The investigation officers play a crucial role in collecting evidence and presenting it before the court, he emphasised.

To improve law and order, the state government should also give field officers – SPs, IGPs and DIGs – two-year term.

Improvement should also be brought in the training of police constables. Instead of setting up training centres and punishment posting for incompetent officers, the state government should appoint good and professional officers in the training centres, he said.

Since 15 years, the state police had been faced with issues like indiscipline, corruption, casteism and favoritism and the new government would take time in improving the working of the police force, he said, adding that the commitment of chief minister Yogi Adityanath clearly indicates that law and order would improve in the state.