Frequent transfers demotivate honest cops, says whistleblower IPS officer from K’taka

Coimbatore: Honest police officers are demotivated by frequent transfers, said Indian Police Service (IPS) officer D Roopa, who uncovered the special privileges extended to ousted AIADMK leader VK Sasikala in a Bengaluru jail.

“Officers often take up an initiative hoping that it reaches its logical conclusion. But, if they are transferred before that, without a good officer at the helm, it collapses,” Roopa, now an IG of Police (Home Guard and Civil Defence, Bengaluru), said here on Saturday.

“Coming to my expose, I hope it reaches its logical conclusion, because I took a lot of risk by reporting it. People said that ‘Mannargudi mafia’ would not leave me and the state government would punish me because I went against them. But despite the risk to my career, I went ahead. I do not know what is happening inside Parappana Agrahara now,” said Roopa, the first lady IPS officer of Karnataka, who was in the city as the chief guest of a debate organized by the Anti-Corruption Movement.

The officer said that it was important that security of tenure is implemented. “Security of tenure, which stands at one year, exists only on paper. I hope I see it becoming a reality,” she said. “After my expose, I was transferred before my security of tenure expired, but I chose not to fight it. Frequent transfers are a waste of resources, because they occupy a good officer’s time and efforts and sometimes an investment too.”

Roopa said the attitude of bureaucrats to right to Information queries was ‘pathetic’. “Their attitude is discouraging and many of them take offence when an RTI query is filed. Their attitude is how dare they question me. So, they delay the answers on excuses like they will answer only one question per application or delay giving answers till the last minute. My query wanting to know the status of my report, which was forwarded to the anti-corruption bureau itself, did not get a reply. My appeal was denied and now I plan to approach the information commission,” she said.

“Honest officers are often not liked by the establishment. But, they should not be afraid to expose scams. When the whole system is corrupt, politicians want only officers, who do as they say or toe their line. But, honest officers can still make a mark. Officers should not be afraid to tell the truth, because they are holding a position. And if the parties affected were to do something, fingers would automatically point at them, which they wont risk. Fear is irrational and we do what we do by the law. I don’t consider Facebook and Twitter posts as threats,” she added.


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