Cops as offenders: Betrayal of public trust

The arrest of a police constable in the ATM cash van heist case in the city last week and report of yet another constable being involved in the kid napping of four employees of a BPO firm in Koramangala, makes for disturbing reading. Police personnel are supposed to strike fear among criminals and evoke confidence in the general populace who they guard against anti-social elements and criminals.

But the two cases not merely erode faith of the people and tarnish the image of the Karnataka police force but also blur the line that separates the callings of criminals and cops. It is quite common to find cops engaged in corruption and extortions, allowing free reign to hafta-wasooli gangs in markets and sharing booty with gangsters.

These are crimes where one could be accused of operating in the background. But the latest arrests of two cops as being kingpins and plotters of heist and kidnapping (and later extortion) should be enough to shatter the credibility of the force designed, trained and deputed as protectors of citizens and ones safeguarding them against criminals.

The latest revelations that 124 cops were suspended during the last ten months for being involved in criminal activities ranging from robbery to corruption and from drug peddling to dereliction of duty, deserves serious deliberation with regard to the rising trend of crimes within a force considered to be the guardian of the law.

Police officers are vested with power and authority by the public to ensure safety and security. When they commit crimes, it constitute serious betrayal of public trust and abuse of authority. It directly subverts the rule of law leading to a common perception of threat for the general populace. No wonder, such misconduct by the supposed enforcers of law erodes the very legitimacy of the system and forces people to think of alternative ways to seek protection and security.

In fact, such offenders in uniform need severer punishment than general criminals.