KPOA Slams Politically Motivated Attacks on Police Integrity

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police Officers' Association (KPOA) state committee has pointed out that some political parties, instead of addressing the internal issues and harmful infighting within their own ranks, are attempting to shift focus and create narratives against the police as a means of escape.

The committee noted that many of the current allegations being raised against the Kerala Police are similar in nature and are merely part of a deliberate propaganda campaign aimed at discrediting the government.

When allegations are made against the police, responsible individuals must examine whether it is appropriate to treat them as golden opportunities for criticism. Who is making the allegations? Do they have any factual basis? What was the nature of their interaction with the police? What is their past record?

Without examining these questions, the current trend of turning against the police to undermine the government is deeply regrettable. Many of the allegations currently being discussed have already been debated in the past. Incidents from the last twenty years are now being grouped together and presented as if they all happened recently. This is nothing more than targeted propaganda stemming from specific agendas. Several of those making allegations today are individuals who had previously faced legal or just consequences for their actions.

Among all departments in Kerala, the police force has seen the most positive reforms and modernisation. No other state in the country has witnessed such changes. The public has come to embrace the police more closely due to community-oriented initiatives like the Janamaithri (People-Friendly) Policing Project. However, this shift toward more cordial and community-based functioning is now being misconstrued as weakness, leading to an increasing tendency to attack the police in Kerala.

Kerala has also become the state with the highest number of cases related to obstruction of official duties and assaults on police officers. Police personnel work under immense pressure and time constraints, and yet, we are witnessing repeated verbal and physical attacks against them. The people of Kerala are witnessing how a leader of a national political party continues to hurl abuses and instigate attacks against police officers. While this may generate temporary excitement among party workers, it essentially amounts to an indirect call to assault police officers.

We are also seeing a disturbing trend where protests and demonstrations are being taken to private residences, including those where families reside. For instance, when a protest march was taken to a political leader’s home, the same party workers retaliated by marching to the homes of police officers — a deeply unfortunate development. The police are entrusted with protecting the lives and property of the public. Even if such marches to private residences are part of deteriorating protest methods, the police system must prevent them and ensure safety.

However, what we are now witnessing is a call to the State Police Chief not to deploy police officers to prevent protest marches to the homes of police personnel. Legal action must follow such activities. The police force is essentially a reflection of the broader society. While a very few individuals lacking social and democratic awareness may have entered the force, any actions inconsistent with the values and standards of the Kerala Police are addressed. Opportunities for correction are provided, and those who cannot be reformed are being removed from service. Police organisations have always supported such reform measures aimed at modernising the department.

Police organisations firmly uphold the stance that human rights violations should never occur in police custody. They never support individuals who commit wrongdoing. There is not a single instance where police organizations have stood by offenders. The police organizations have always walked in alignment with truth and justice.

The meeting was presided over by President R. Prashanth, and the report was presented by General Secretary C.R. Biju.