TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: After going through the worst phase during the police-drug nexus expose in 2010, the police department has been struggling to beat its tainted image with higher ups pushing for a strict accountability system. One of it is holding its force responsible for their actions without any prejudice.
This has probably resulted in more disciplinary actions against errant personnel and officers. According to national crime records bureau for 2013, a total of 393 police officials faced disciplinary action, which is more than double than that reported during the preceding year. Similarly, 192 personnel were awarded minor punishment for misconduct which was 82 in 2012.
This is not it. Last year’s figures also indicate that disciplinary action against this small police force has been more compared to some bigger states like Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.
All India record reveals that in 2013, Karnataka Police had initiated disciplinary action against its 266 personnel / officers while Chhattisgarh had 263 men-in-khaki undergoing the procedure, Bihar recorded at 145, Madhya Pradesh at 143 and Arunachal Pradesh had 110 in the firing line.
Interestingly, the law enforcers in Goa were also charged with offenses as 97 were booked for their alleged involvement in various criminal and corruption activities last year, of whom one was subsequently dismissed from service. Out of the total, 19 cases were charge sheeted.
Last year also saw 103 complaints filed against the policemen either by citizens, activists or the state. Five personnel are facing departmental inquiry, one judicial a inquiry whereas three cases were declared false after preliminary investigation. The data of 2012, however, had 15 complaints of which 12 were found unsubstantiated while in three cases departmental inquiry was initiated.
