Video: Hot line to complain against police officers

30 December 2013 05:49 am

National Police Commission Secretary T.M.K.B. Tennakoon said a hotline had been set up for public complaints against police officers found to have neglected their duties.

He said the public can lodge their complaints via hot line: 071 0361010.   

Mr. Tennakoone said nine provincial offices and two offices in Kalutara and Gampaha had been established to look into complaints by the people.  

“Those offices have facilities for the people only during office hours. So we thought we need to start a hotline to enable the people to make their complaints at any time of the day or night. People have a right to complain if they face problems when seeking the help of the police,” he said.

Mr. Tennakoone said public complaints have been reduced from 600 in 2012 to 400 complaints this year.  

“Out of the 600 complaints last year we have solved all of them except one. We have solved 50% of this year’s complaints as well. We see a reduction in the complaints because the police officers are aware that the people have a place to make their complaints when they have an issue,” Mr. Tennakoone said.

He said people were more close to the National Police Commission than the Police Department because the commission consists of civil officials.
Mr. Tennakoon said there had been a positive reaction from the people since the hotline was established while there had been some anonymous calls criticizing this service as well. “We are going to take legal action against those people in the future after a proper investigation,” he said. (Sanath Desmond)