The Vijayawada Police Commissioner is likely to take stringent action against corrupt and errant police officials soon. The decision is taken after incidents where police officers are found indulging in corrupt practices in collusion with rowdy sheeters and land grabbers, etc.
Corruption, ill-treatment and negligence by some police officers were hampering justice to the complainants. Even as the government and top police officials were repeatedly talking about ‘friendly policing,’ ‘prevention of corruption’, and ‘polite behaviour’ in police stations, the scene at the ground level is different.
Unhappy
Many complainants are unhappy over the response of some police officers.
The Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), Additional Deputy Commissioners of Police (ADCPs) and the Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), who are supposed to visit police stations, could not do so owing to work load and other reasons.
The Police Commissioner suspended one SI and served charge memo to the CI for delay in handing over the money to a person who lost it after drawing from a bank.
Mr. Sawang took departmental action against staff facing corruption allegations after taking charge.
“Some Circle Inspectors and ACPs, who served in different positions in the city earlier, managed to get postings of their choice using political clout. The officers are maintaining contacts with rowdy sheeters, land grabbers, call money racketeers and liquor syndicates and were ignoring the public visiting the stations,” said an officer.
Six CIs surrendered
On Sunday, the Police Commissioner surrendered six CIs and transferred 15 constables attached to different stations on charges of corruption and dereliction of duties. Surprisingly, five constables attached to the City Task Force (CTF), who act on CP’s instructions, were replaced on corruption charges.
“The Station House Officers (SHOs) failed to unearth call money cases, trafficking and unauthorised liquor sales and adulteration. It means the CIs and SIs do not have knowledge of the happenings in their station limits. Some liquor shop owners are openly commenting on offering bribes to police. The ASIs, station writers, head constables and constables who have been there on the force for long, are colluding with the anti-social elements and are harassing the public,” the officer said.
Mr. Sawang said that the public are enlightened and are expecting more services from the police. “If there is good response in the police station and justice is rendered at the station level, public will not approach the next officer, he said.
“I will not tolerate if staff in police stations ignore complaints on women harassment, teasing and trafficking. The police officer concerned should take the complaint, register the case and respond immediately. It is a fact that some corrupt officers are damaging the reputation of the department and action will be taken against them,” the Commissioner said.
