February 05, Colombo (LNW): Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has issued a strong warning to police officers and station commanders, stating that they will face both disciplinary and legal action if they refuse to accept complaints lodged by the public at police stations.
In a directive released recently, Acting IGP Weerasooriya made it clear that officers who reject complaints or fail to register them for any reason will be held accountable.
He emphasised that under the Police Ordinance, these officers could face legal repercussions in addition to the internal disciplinary measures imposed by the police department.
The Acting IGP’s circular follows numerous reports, both written and verbal, suggesting that some police officers are turning away individuals who come forward with complaints.
In many cases, these rejections have been explained with various excuses, undermining the public’s trust in the police force.
Weerasooriya stressed that such actions were unacceptable, particularly when the core duty of police officers is to serve the public by ensuring all complaints are recorded and investigated appropriately.
The circular also reminded officers that their role within the police force is not just to maintain law and order, but to respond to the concerns of the community with professionalism and integrity.
He emphasised that the failure to take action when a complaint is made not only breaches the law but also erodes public confidence in the police service.
