Law and order is key to the prosperity and well being of any society. Today while Goa is witnessing a rise in crimes, there is a need for a consensus amongst all political parties to allow the Police to function freely and independently devoid of any political interference and manipulation whatsoever.
Towards ensuring radical police reforms the Supreme Court in 2006 in a landmark judgment had issued seven clear directions all of which have not yet been truly implemented by the State of Goa. One of the directives was to set up a Police Establishment Board (PEB) headed by the Director General of Police (DGP) to independently decide transfers, postings, promotions and other service related matters of police officers of and below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and make recommendations on postings and transfers above the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. We may have a PEB but it is mere paper Tiger which is toothless and powerless with all the decisions being infact taken by the politicians in Power. While the law requires that the Police should be insulated from any political interference and be independent in its functioning, the factual ground reality is that our Police lack freedom in discharging their duties while having to bow down to the dictates and directives of the Politicians. Over the years the power and authority of Goa’s DGP has been systematically eroded. Even in the matter of posting of police personnel, Ministers and ruling MLAs have gone to the extent of appropriating the power to assign postings of constables to Police Inspectors and even Dy SPs to SP’s. The intent and manner behind depriving the DGP his say in such routine administrative matters is deplorable while the damage done to his status and position is unacceptable. Politicians publicly speak about the independence of the police and of law taking its own course but factually they interfere and unduly intervene in the day to day working of the Police. We have a lot of good and smart Police personnel but unfortunately their brains and investigative skills are in the custody of the politicians whose line they have to tow. It is time to ensure the Police function as a professionally competent body and not as mere agents of the political party in power. A small state like Goa could have maintained its peace and tranquility but the ground reality is a matter of great concern. To curb the rising crime rate we need good police investigation but the sun seems to be shining for the perpetrators of crime. If no immediate corrective steps are taken we may reach a point of no return. We can no longer allow a police force driven and manipulated by politicians when we are entitled to have law enforcers who are people oriented to strictly enforce the law without fear or favour. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
