KATHMANDU, July 31

At a time when the general public are more critical of police for violating professional conduct and ethics to serve their personal gains, Metropolitan Police Range, Teku, has taken departmental action against 112 police personnel as part of a ‘’clean-up drive within the organisation’’.

SSP Uttam Kumar Karkee, MPR in-charge, said 112 cops faced punishment in the fiscal year 2014-15 for indulging in unethical conduct that contravening the existing Police Act and Rules.

“Those facing departmental action range from constables to a DSP. They were held accountable for indulging in corruption and failing to fulfil their assigned duty. It is aimed at reining in undisciplined police personnel and bolstering the morale of professional cops. The move follows public outcry over the conduct of police officials and personnel who enjoy violating laws instead of enforcing them to maintain law and order,” he informed.

The action  ranges from issuance of warning letters to dismissal, depending on the nature of offence committed. As many as 51 cops received warning against repeating unethical conduct in future and 21 were dismissed. Eight were suspended while 19 faced action for not maintaining financial discipline and indulging in corruption. Likewise, 13 were reprimanded in writing for torturing detainees against the existing laws that required humane behaviour with the accused.

“We have maintained zero tolerance against corruption, financial irregularities and police misconduct and have established a Professional Standard Unit led by a DSP to look into police conduct and recommend action against the guilty,” SSP Karkee said.

The MPR, however, declined to give the names of all rogue cops ‘’on the ground that most of them were given time to correct themselves’’.

Police have developed a system in the MPR where the public can lodge their grievances against any police personnel who are unethical. This has better facilitated the police to report to competent authorities without fear. Officials at PSU look into complaints received online by verifying the authenticity of the allegation before initiating action against the guilty.

SSP Karkee encouraged all to cooperate with the MPR to make its clean-up drive.The MPR has a strength of 1,932 cops.