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Speedy promotions for cops to end frustration
By Chandani Kirinde
In its annual report the National Police Commission (NPC) has said promotions seem to have been withheld in almost all ranks of the Police resulting in widespread stagnation leading to demotivation and frustration thus contributing to the failure to arrest the escalating crime rate.

The NPC 2003 report, which was presented to Parliament last week, said this was more so particularly in the lower ranks. As a measure to remedy the situation, the Inspector General of Police has pointed out the need to expedite promotional procedures, which would motivate police officers to perform better.

Considering the IGP's request and the fact that there were 14 fundamental rights applications filed in the Supreme Court on issues relating to promotions, the Commission had approved a special 'one off' scheme for promotions, outside the hitherto existing scheme of promotion, with the intention of reaching a speedy solution to this problem.

This arrangements permits all officers who have not been subject to disciplinary punishments or penalties including any stricture passed by the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal against his conduct during the preceding five years in the grade applicable, to present themselves as eligible candidates for promotion.

The other conditions stipulated for promotions include uninterrupted period of service, 50 per cent of the available vacancies of and above the rank of Inspector be filled based on seniority in service and the balance 50 per cent be filled on seniority and merit. In respect of posts below the rank of Sub-Inspector, the percentage of promotions was 75 per cent, on seniority and the remaining 25 per cent on seniority and merit, the report said.

Under this proposed special promotion scheme the NPC is working to fill the positions of 110 Superintendents of Police, 130 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) , 330 Chief Inspectors (CIs), 629 Inspectors of Police (IPs), 1402 Sub Inspectors (SIs) and 1803 Police Sergeants.

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