Politicians and governments behind the muscle of ‘police powers’

Maintaining law and order is a state’s primary responsibility. From its “watch and ward” beginnings, the Police force has evolved as a civilian institution that derives its powers from the law. “Police power” is a misleading concept. The Police Ordinance of 1865 refers only to police duties and responsibilities, not police powers.

Power is a word associated with military might or political authority. Under British colonial rule, the police came to be assigned paramilitary duties, primarily to protect the regime. During the 1915 Sinhala-muslim riots, the police were utilized, perhaps for the first time in this country, for repressive purposes, under the command of the Trinity College Kandy-cambridge University alumnus, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Herbert Layard Dowbiggin. There was no military to enforce martial law.

The police were given the “power” to shoot rioters and arrest national leaders. The concept of “police power” in this country may have begun with that historic event.the race riots of 1956 and 1958, the 1971 uprising, the insurgency of the late Eighties, and the emergence of LTTE terrorism hastened the militarisation of our Police Force. Equipped with combat weapons, the Police were called upon to protect vital institutions and vulnerable politicians.

The civilian nature of the Police was further diluted with the formation of a commando-type unit, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Police. Formed in 1982, the brainchild of Ravi Jayewardena, the STF was initially trained by the crack Keenie Meenie Services (KMS), comprising former British Special Air Services (SAS) commandos. The STF turned out to be the most feared combat unit in this country’s war against terrorism.

As terrorism escalated in the Eighties, with suicide attacks and assassinations of politicians, even low-ranking politicians demanded overt as well as covert protection for them and their families. The politicisation of the Police, which began in the Seventies, accelerated as politicians became actively interested in recruitment, promotion, transfers, and so on. Some politicians, with the government’s blessings, saw gold in this situation. A politicised Police Force can easily became partners with corrupt politicians, who may be dealing in narcotics, moonshine, human smuggling, prostitution, abduction and ransom, threats and intimidation. The nexus between corrupt politicians and corrupt police officers is undeniable.

The frightening prospect, as far as democracy is concerned, has been the unlawful and unconscionable use of the Police by successive governments since Independence to suppress peaceful democratic opposition, to harass opponents, including journalists, to hobble the lawful activities of trade unions, and so on. Only a truly courageous and professional Inspector General of Police, a man of integrity who is prepared to risk his job, will resist such moves by the government.

Police excesses, the wrongful use of discretionary powers, and blatantly unconstitutional or illegal acts by the Police, have come to be understood by politicians and the naive public as “police powers.” It is these so-called police powers that our politicians – whether in the North, South, East or West – are vigorously campaigning for.

Edward Gunawardena

Battaramulla

High- speed, irresponsible driving has caused horrific accidents and unnecessary deaths in the past few weeks. How do these speed fiends get away with it? They operate freely and openly, day and night, under the very nose of the Police. You find them racing regardless on Havelock Road, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, along the BMICH stretch, and in Cinnamon Gardens.

One speed maniac enjoys racing along Narahenpitiya Road late in the night disturbing the entire neighbourhood. He goes up and down, heading nowhere, in a mighty hurry.

Another race maniac, obviously unemployed, with time and money to show off, hits the roads at all times of day. The earsplitting roar of a speeding vehicle must be music to his ears, but not to the residents and other road users.

These unrestrained speed fiends flaunt their souped-up sports cars, recklessly and irresponsibly weaving in and out of traffic, breaking traffic and environmental laws. I have seen them speed past the Cinnamon Gardens Police Station and along Horton Place and Thimbirigasyaya Road.

Who is to discipline these spoilt new-rich brats? Why is the Police not taking any action? Perhaps everyone is waiting for one almighty horrific accident to occur before action is taken.

Colombo 7