CP to crack whip on cops avoiding raises

Officials say many senior inspectors don't take up promotion postings to avoid losing out on illegal income from areas they have established themselves in

THE new Commissioner of Police Arup Patnaik has decided to crack the whip on senior police inspectors who have not taken up promotion postings as assistant commissioners of police to allegedly avoid losing out on the flow of money from their areas.


Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik

Sources in the department said it is common for police officers to avoid taking up promotion postings. Corruption, they say, is the primary reason for this.

"This trend is especially seen in some police stations in south Mumbai and the western suburbs as they have several VVIPs as residents and many bars are located in these areas.

The inspectors don't want to lose out on the regular flow of income from workshops, bars and local residents," said a police officer, requesting anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

"Yes, we are taking stock of the situation and are streamlining the process.

The issue has been raised and it will be resolved soon," said Patnaik, who has directed the administration department of the Mumbai police to gather information on the promotion orders that have not been acted upon.

The police chief said he is also running a background check on dozens of tainted officers who have managed to remain posted in south Mumbai for more than 20 years.

Officials said there are reasons to suspect that these officers have political connections and some may even be enjoying the patronage of gangs.

In a senior-level meeting, Patnaik also said that, unlike his predecessors, he wants to focus his attention on the northern suburbs of the city and not south Bombay alone.

Caste issue

Officials said many police officers also use their caste certificate as a trump card. They use it to get a promotion when they want one and drag their feet on furnishing the certificate to stall an undesired promotion.

"It is the government's duty to ask for the caste certificate and maintain it in the records to ensure the caste criteria is not misused," said a senior police inspector.