The Hindu : New Delhi News : Occupational hazards of being in the police

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Saturday, Oct 14, 2006
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Occupational hazards of being in the police

The alleged suicide by a suspended inspector has brought to the fore problems afflicting the police force, observes Prashant Pandey

The alleged suicide on Friday by a suspended Delhi Police inspector may have created a sensation as the deceased purportedly blamed the Police Commissioner for his taking the extreme step, but the Delhi police records show that he was found guilty on account of serious omissions and mala fide intent in harassing a Civil Lines-based businessman. Whatever the truth, the incident has brought to the fore a couple of problems afflicting the police organisation that is decidedly hierarchical in its approach.

To begin with, there is certainly a problem of communication between the top officials and those working at lower ranks. Usually the orders flow from top to bottom and those at the lower end mostly have to put up with them. Friday's incident apart, there have been other cases in which police personnel, usually from the lower level, have ended their lives alleging harassment at the hands of their superiors. And, usually, such incidents have been blamed on the depressed state of mind of the personnel. Of course, there have been cases of suicides due to work-related stress also. Further, there have been instances where the personnel have "revolted" verbally against their superior officers when subjected to constant harassment and abusive language. In such cases, too, the usual response has been to blame the personnel entirely and take action against him, including suspension. This is done in the name of upholding discipline in the force.

But, considering the ground realities, there should be a review of the rather prevalent practice of blaming it usually on the personnel. There is no doubt that every organisation should have a sense of discipline where a senior officer can issue orders and directions while expecting a cooperative attitude on the part of his subordinate. Yet not all situations fit this arrangement.

As a senior police officer put it: "There can be cases where false allegations may lead to initiation of an inquiry against certain personnel. But this is also an occupational hazard of being in the police. The person in question has to be strong enough to face the inquiry as the truth will eventually come out." Also, irrespective of the current case, there is little doubt that an officer or a lower level police functionary who is not satisfied with the outcome of an inquiry against him should have access to a body where he can appeal and present his side of the story. Such a body should not only be impartial but also in a position to dispose of the case speedily and with authority. It would be better if such a body gives decisions rather than make recommendations.

It is in this context that the proposed outline of the draft of the new Police Act accommodates provisions that can help prevent such incidents. On the one hand they provide for a much better flow of suggestions from bottom to the top that could be used to finalise the strategic policing plan in a State.

On the other, if an officer of a lower rank is not satisfied with certain orders (particularly in case of transfers) of his superiors, he can make his representation to the State Police Board. Also, in matters where a certain action of the police chief is in question, the matter may be referred to the State Government.

In any case, it would always be in line with the principles of natural justice if an aggrieved person were able to put his case before an impartial body that would deal with his case expeditiously. In so far as the current incident was concerned, the deceased had approached the Delhi High Court while his departmental inquiry was going on against him since 2005.

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