DGPs new commandments to policemen in State

KOZHIKODE: “No more friendship with mafia members and those accused in criminal cases, no alcohol consumption in bars or public places ...”  So goes the latest directive of Director-General of Police Jacob Punnoose to the erring policemen in the State Police Department. The DGP has issued new commandments to the police personnel to keep a tab on their personal and public life to uplift the image of the department.The police personnel in the state are to get a ‘behavioural therapy’ from their higher-ups to improve their personal as well as public life. The DGP has issued a directive to the police personnel in the state to be vigilant in their own personal life as the public, on whom the law enforcers have to act, are keenly observing the personal and public conduct of the law enforcers.Mingling with persons with mafia-type activities and with those accused in serious cases under investigation or trial will be monitored by the superior officers of the department to avoid the prejudice of the public, according to the DGP’s directive.Visiting houses of ill-repute and proclivity for alcoholism and domestic violence are all activities which will prejudice the department, say the top cops of the police department. They want the supervisory officers to constantly look out whether their subordinates are indulging in similar behaviour. The Police Department’s move aims to discharge policing functions efficiently, impartially, effectively and with credibility. The DGP has emphasised the importance of maintaining good conduct, both official as well as personal, to inspire the confidence of the public while maintaining the rule of law. Though the officials have freedom to choose their private life, the manner in whichthey lead private lives should not cause prejudice to the proper and due discharge of duties, says the DGP’s directive. The private life of officers will be subject to the accountability to the department as a whole for the limited purpose of ensuring that personal conduct does not prejudice either official duties or the good name of the department, says the directive.The police officials, especially the immediate superiors of the police personnel are responsible to monitor the personal conduct of their immediate subordinates. Apart from giving directives to the subordinates to improve their personal conduct, superiors will also be responsible for sending formal reports to the higher authorities for initiating disciplinary action.