Misbehaviour and corrupt practices by policemen cannot be tolerated
On Tuesday, the spotlight was on the police, again for the wrong reasons – a video showing a police sub-inspector (PSI) attached to the Porvorim police station using foul language and threatening the restaurant staff where he and his friend had dined went viral. The dispute arose over the restaurant bill. The video shows the cashier indicating to the PSI that several families are in the restaurant, but he refuses to calm down. The PSI then calls the owner of the restaurant and threatens him, saying, “I will show you if your restaurant is found open beyond 11 pm.” With this, the government’s image has taken a hit. What is worse is that the incident came to light when the Goa Assembly was in session. The incident only goes to show that such policemen cannot command respect if they don’t know how to behave in public.
On Wednesday morning, it was reported that the PSI concerned had been transferred to GRP as “a punishment.” After public backlash on social media and also from the Opposition, who accused the government of treating such errant police personnel with kid gloves, the government decided to suspend the PSI.
One Opposition MLA alleged that such unruly police behaviour stems from their being BJP karyakartas. He also alleged that some police personnel behave in a particular manner because of the patronage of their political masters. The Opposition alleged that the government has no control over the Police Department. The Opposition members asked: When the police behave like goons, why won’t goons flex their muscles?
Several questions have come to the fore: Was proper background verification of the Porvorim PSI carried out at the time of recruitment? Why are policemen displaying such rude behaviour in public? Does their training not include good behaviour towards the public and department staff? Why do they lack decency and etiquette? This case cannot be seen as a one-off case. Small businessmen are scared to complain. The Opposition has also raised the issue of ‘hafta’ collection. If the police themselves turn harassers, how does the government expect an entrepreneur to run any business?
After their misconduct was raised in the assembly two days ago, the Goa police issued a statement stating the PSI involved has been transferred and four other police staff have been placed under suspension. In the recent past, two policemen were suspended for their alleged misconduct and for demanding money from a couple seated at Dona Paula. Tourists have also been victims of such corruption and misconduct.
Tuesday’s incident has occurred less than a week after the Goa Human Rights Commission came down heavily on police excesses by a group of policemen, consisting of two PSIs and constables, on five persons, including a 17-year-old, at the Maina-Curtorim police station. The charge was that the five were illegally detained overnight at the police station barracks (without registering an FIR) and physically assaulted. The commission recommended compensation of Rs 20,000 each victim and sought a report on disciplinary action against the cops.
A strong message has to go out to other police officials and personnel that their misconduct and bad behaviour will not be tolerated. One reason why the policemen flaunt and abuse their powers is because of the politician-police nexus. Senior police officers are well aware of what is happening in the department. Action is taken only after such incidents are highlighted by the media or in the legislative Assembly. Who will police such policemen?
