Mumbai: Policemen with tainted records may go

The police department has started a clean-up drive, where an officer whose integrity is in question or has served in Mumbai for over eight years will be transferred.

The police department has started a clean-up drive, where an officer whose integrity is in question or has served in Mumbai for over eight years will be transferred.

According to senior officials, a list of officers whose records are ‘not clean’ and others who have been in the city commissionerate for a long time has been prepared.

These officers are likely to be sent to Vidharbha, western Maharashtra, Konkan, among other places in the state. “We need a mix of experienced and young blood in the city to make policing people friendly,” said a senior IPS officer, requesting anonymity.

The ball was set rolling on March 18, when the then additional director general, establishment, D Kanakratnam, issued a circular to police commissionerates and district headquarters for a list of sub-inspectors, assistant inspectors and inspectors who had completed eight years or more in the city. The list has to be sent before May 31.

For other commissionerates, the limit to serve is six years while in ranges, which make up the rural police, it is eight years.

A posting in any police station or unit is for two years. According to the rule, every officer has to serve in all districts to get properly acquainted with the state. But most of them avoid Maoist-hit areas, as it is dangerous.

Sources said many officials who pass out of the state academy prefer their home districts. Some settle down in others parts, become comfortable and are then reluctant to move. Most say it is because of their children’s education.

There have been instances when officials have reported sick and then either got their transfer cancelled by going to the Maharashtra administrative tribunal or central administrative tribunal.

Sources said some officers who stay at one place for too long end up in getting involved in rackets or favouring individuals as they grow very familiar with those around.

An IPS officer said there have been instances when a policeman has served in the same area of Mumbai for over 20 years.