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Kinder face of modern police
The Police Force has launched 'operation image building' in a bid to be more people friendly, reports Kumudini Hettiarachchi

Bribe-takers, torturers and kossas are some of the names associated with the Police Force, with the public dreading a visit to a police station even for a simple matter such as a lost ID.

Waiting in comfort Pix by Athula Devapriya

But this much-maligned force is now pulling itself up by its bootstraps, in a major bid to change its image - from a cruel, arrogant, irresponsible one to that of a more humane and caring one.

The metamorphosis is evident when you enter a prime police station in the Colombo area. A smiling policeman, seated behind a brand new desk, greets you politely. To his right are comfortable arm-chairs for others to await their turn.

The environment too is airy and clean. The station building has been spruced up with a new coat of paint and the wooden doors polished. Gone are the musty rooms and dinghy corners. In a corner two men attend to the fish tank, while a few goldfish swim in a bucket. Two large blue boards flank the policeman at the reception giving precise information to the public.

Incredible, but true. We are at the Bambalapitiya Police Station on Galle Road.

"May I help you?" asks Policeman S. Peter, on whose table sits a potted, artificial plant with red flowers adding a bit of colour. He is there to listen to the people's grievances or complaints and then direct them, without delay, to the relevant desks. The boards behind him claim in bold white letters, in Sinhala and Tamil, the "services rendered by the Bambalapitiya Police". The advice to those who seek police assistance is also very clear: Tell the reception officer what your need is and if there is a delay meet the OIC.

On the other board is listed the names of all the officers heading the different departments, with the OIC's name at the top, whether they are in or out and their phone numbers.

And surprisingly, the officer who greets the people is tri-lingual reflecting Sri Lankan society.

"We are the first in a programme to launch the modern police," explains Chief Inspector Ananda Kumarasiri, Officer-in-Charge, who has taken over duties just three days ago, but is familiar with the concept being implemented.

Minister John Ameratunga had officially "opened" the new face of this police station on July 31, though the policemen and women were briefed and put on track around the beginning of June, he says.

It seems a good place to start the drive, for Bambalapitiya or Colombo 4 has about 30,000 residents and around 100,000 people converging daily, because it is a hub of businesses and offices.

"Some of the biggest schools, both national and international are in this area. People from all over the island come here because of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, which is to the rear of us. Most southern line train commuters get off at this station. Buses too unload quite a number of people here because different lines ply through this area," says Inspector H.M.N.R. Bandara, adding that four main roads, Galle Road, Havelock Road, R.A. de Mel Mawatha and Bauddhaloka Mawatha cut through the area.

Beginning at the bridge near St. Peter's College and spreading upto Bauddhaloka Mawatha is the area coming under the purview of the station.

"We are in the process of streamlining the procedure and keeping tabs on how soon inquiries are done or complaints sorted out," stresses OIC Kumarasiri.

He explains that an officer is at the reception 24 hours a day. People are greeted cordially so that earlier fears and worries about coming to the police are dispelled. "We are also attempting to cut down the time people have to spend at the station. Remember the numerous complaints about wasting hours and hours over a minor complaint. Now there are forms etc, in the case of lost IDs or passports, so it's quicker."

The police are also making an effort to computerise all the data they receive so that deployment of traffic policemen and other such procedures can be streamlined. In addition to the crime, minor offences and traffic branches and the women's and children's desk, the Bambalapitiya Police may soon set up a separate unit to deal with prosecutions, placing experienced officers there.

Even patrolling is being looked at, to increase its potential as a preventive measure, says the OIC, adding that 100 patrol books may soon be placed in strategic places.

"The police have been quite nice to us. We go to court today," says a young girl, while several others nod their heads vigorously. They are in the lock-up for alleged vagrancy and loitering and speak to us through the bars.

Next, we walk into a cubicle with a single desk. Posters on serious issues concerning women and children line the wall. "We get a lot of family squabbles and we try as much as possible to settle matters amicably, without breaking up families. We also get a few complaints on sexual abuse and child servants," says young Policewoman Chandani Ramyalatha.

For Anura Jayantha, a businessman from Chilaw, the new face of the Bambalapitiya Police is apparent. "The last time I came here to complain about my lost passport, there were delays. But not any more it seems. The surroundings too are more pleasant," he says.

Hopefully the modern police concept will spread to all stations scattered across the country and will not be just a passing phase.

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