It will be a different summer vacation this time for at least 25 policemen who have been sent on compulsory leave for a period of three to six months as punishment for indiscipline and laxity in duty.
The action was taken after the police commissioner SS Deswal went on a surprise visit and caught these officials. Among them are six duty in-charge and 19 constables who were found to be irregular in their duty timings.
“With strict action, we hope to maintain discipline in the police force. Though there is a staff crunch, we will not compromise with rules,” Deswal said.
The police commissioner said that such surprise visits will be carried out in future also and action will be taken against those found guilty.
While the department is facing a shortage of manpower, authorities feel that such action is necessary to keep corruption and indiscipline at bay.
The department at present has 3,405 staff, which is about 34% less than the number of staff sanctioned for a city of 1.5 million.
As the population is increasing, the police force is facing shortage of manpower with a dozen retiring or getting transferred every month.
{{/usCountry}}As the population is increasing, the police force is facing shortage of manpower with a dozen retiring or getting transferred every month.
{{/usCountry}}In April, head constable Jitender Kumar was suspended for his involvement in custodial torture of a 13-year-old boy arrested in connection with a vehicle theft. In March, a head constable of traffic police was suspended after a Facebook user uploaded a video of him demanding Rs1,000 as bribe.
Meanwhile, two constables posted at Sector 5 police station were sent on leave for their inability to curb the rising number of chain snatching incidents in the area.