Kerala State Police Chief (SPC) T. P. Senkumar on Friday admitted that there were “criminals” in the police department and he had tried to curb their illegal activities.
In a candid farewell speech at the police parade ground in Thiruvananthapuram, the outgoing police chief said the percentage of law breakers in uniform was higher in the top echelons of the force than the constabulary.
If the percentage of criminals among lower ranking officers was one per cent, it was 4 to 5 per cent in the IPS, he said.
The sole threat the police faced was from within its own ranks. Felons inside the force often created problems.
Mr. Senkumar dispelled the notion that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and he were always at odds. Contrary to popular perception, the Chief Minister had given him unstinted support ever since he was reinstated as the State Police Chief and there was no conflict. Mr. Vijayan’s approach to governance was of high standard, he said.
Mr. Vijayan was also appreciative of many of the police chief’s actions, including Mr. Senkumar’s little known decision to contribute a portion of his salary for the welfare of tribal children in Attapadi.
Mr. Senkumar was critical of reports in a section of the media that Mr. Vijayan would skip his farewell function out of spite. Journalists should ask themselves who fed them such lies.
The police had its share of officers who could not raise themselves above partisan politics in their line of duty. “It is all right for officers to have political views. But it should not reflect in the discharge of their constitutional duties. To uphold the law, one has to be politically neutral”, he said.
Mr. Senkumar said criminal investigations were often a protracted process and the police could not work to a set deadline. Law enforcers should not succumb to pressure while investigating cases. They should not foist charges on persons against whom they do not have fool proof evidence merely ward off public pressure or save face.
Mr. Senkumar said he was now “free” from the bounds set by civil service conduct rules. He would be very much in public life, working for the good of the public and the police department.
The police chief inspected a guard of honour and took the salute at a ceremonial parade. Other top ranking officers were present.
