Police officers being reduced to football: Chidambaram

Home Minister P Chidambaram today lamented the failure of many state governments to set up a Police Establishment Board that would decide on matters relating to transfers and postings of police personnel.

He also regretted the fact that many police officers “have been reduced to a football, to be kicked here and there, from one post to another, without regard to the damage done to the job as well as the officer”.

Addressing a conference of directors general of police and inspectors general of police called by the Intelligence Bureau, the home minister said: “I ask you to search your hearts and answer the question, what is the average length of tenure of a district superintendent of police? What is the average length of tenure of a station house officer? Why do you remain silent when arbitrary postings and transfers are made by the state government? Is it not your duty, as the head of the state police, to raise your voice not only on behalf of your officers but also on behalf of the people that you are duty-bound to protect? As one famous Judge said, ‘When there is a duty to speak, silence is culpable’.”

Chidambaram also advised a number of states to change their attitude of low financial outlays for police personnel.

He reminded state governments that there had been a big jump in outlays for the home ministry in the Budget estimates for 2009-10 over the Budget estimates of 2008-09.