Bengaluru Police Crackdown: Over 120 Officers Suspended in Just 10 Months
From corruption to negligence, strict action has been taken against 124 personnel to restore public trust.
Bengaluru: The Bengaluru City Police, whose main job is to protect citizens and enforce the law, is currently facing a trust crisis. A rising number of its own officers have been accused of breaking the very laws they are supposed to uphold.
Over the last ten months, 124 police personnel have been suspended. The charges against them are serious, ranging from robbery, corruption, and drug peddling to negligence (not doing their duty properly).
A Breakdown of the Suspensions
According to recent data, the suspended officers come from various ranks within the department. The list includes:
- 10 Inspectors
- 16 Sub-inspectors
- 16 Assistant Sub-inspectors
- 41 Head Constables
- 41 Constables
Restoring Discipline
City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh stated that the department is taking strict steps against any officer involved in criminal activities or negligence.
He has instructed all Joint Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to hold regular meetings. The goal is to ensure every officer knows the departmental rules and follows them.
“Criminal activities break the discipline of the force and affect public trust. The police department is one of the largest in the state with significant manpower. If anyone fails to follow discipline, action will be initiated,” the Commissioner said.
How the Action is Taken
A senior IPS officer explained how the department handles these cases. When an officer is suspected of wrongdoing, a Departmental Enquiry (DE) is started.
- If a crime is committed: A formal police case (FIR) is registered along with the internal inquiry.
- The Punishment: Depending on how serious the offense is, punishment can range from being fired (dismissal) to forced leave or a reduction in salary increments.
The senior officer noted that nearly 90% of the suspensions are due to dereliction of duty, which means failing to follow orders or discipline. He also mentioned that poor supervision and financial pressure are often the root causes behind corruption and criminal behavior among staff.
