Kochi : Police personnel take a formal oath when joining the force, pledging to uphold the law, protect the public, and prevent crime. However, some officers have become embroiled in criminal activities, raising serious concerns about conduct and accountability within the force.
More than 40 police officers have been under scrutiny in Ernakulam since 2023 for their alleged involvement in around 15 incidents. An SI was booked less than a year ago for allegedly extorting Rs 4 lakh from another police officer who visited a spa.
It’s high time a proper mechanism, perhaps by empowering the SPCA further to investigate police misconduct, put in place,” said Kurup. The officer allegedly used information obtained during the probe into a drug case to intimidate and exploit individuals related to the case. He demanded sexual favours and money from people who were found in the contact list of a drug case accused. Four officers from Kuruppampady station were suspended in Jan for allegedly taking bribes to shield two cyberfraud suspects wanted by Gujarat police. In the same month, an officer with Kalady Police was found to have suspected ties with drug rackets. A year before that, two officers from the same station were suspended for their alleged involvement in running a brothel under the guise of a lodge. The repeated incidents also highlight the lack of an efficient system to investigate and act against erring cops. Experts say that officers investigating cases against their colleagues could create a sense of mistrust among the public. “No man should be a judge in his own court. The public would perceive an officer as biased even if they are sincere.
An SI of Elamakkara station was arrested earlier this year for sexual harassment and extortion.
In many cases it was departmental action that revealed the offences, he added.
A senior officer said it was wrong to judge the whole force based on the misdeeds of a handful of officers.