KATHMANDU: In less than two months of taking over the command of the Nepal Police, the Inspector General of Nepal Police (IGP) Shailesh Thapa Kshetri has pursued some visible reforms at the police force. Kshetri has been appointed as the IGP on July 7.
Following his appointment, new standards have been introduced to select police to serve in various peace missions of the United Nations. The standards now ensure seniority as a main criterion for the selection, ending the practice of getting the opportunity to serve in the mission based on political power and preferential treatment.
The ‘UN Formed Police Unit (FPU) Selection Standards’ states, “Seniority will form a basis for the selection for all positions and the list of seniority will be based on the record of the Police Headquarters’ Human Resources and Administrative Department.”
The Nepal Army and the Armed Police Force have already begun the practice of selecting troops based on seniority.
The initiative taken by the new IGP Kshetri has offered hope among thousands of aspirants inside the Nepal Police so that they also get the opportunity to serve in UN missions abroad.
Some insiders say that the new step is a right direction towards developing a fair system that will end the practice of political pressure, influence and favoritism in the professional organization.
The seniority is determined on the basis of recruitment date, promotion and performance evaluation. Such record is maintained by the Police Headquarters.
Abolishment of tradition of hanging IGP’s photo frame
IGP Kshetri has also scrapped the tradition of hanging the IGP’s portrait picture on the wall of the Police Headquarters and other offices of the Nepal Police across the country. Although there is no legal provision, the photo frame of the IGP on the wall of police offices used to be on display. To implement the norm, the police headquarters used to issue a circular to all offices immediately after the appointment of a new IGP stating the size of the photo frame that should be hung on the police headquarter’s wall. However, such a circular was not issued after the appointment of Kshetri.
Nepal Police Spokesperson SSP Kuber Kadayat said that the headquarters has not issued any circular to police offices to hand the portrait of the IGP. Police offices are not required to hang the photo of the newly appointed IGP as there has not been any circular to continue the tradition. The tradition— which has nothing to do with the professional service of the organization— has now ended after the new IGP did not show any interest in continuing it.
According to a source at the Police Headquarters, IGP Kshetri has decided to not use the motorcade for the escort as well as display his photo in any office except in the website of the Nepal Police.
While the organizational and professional reforms have been lauded, experts have called for a focus in leadership in maintaining law and order, preventing crime and strengthening good governance.
The police force has long been drawing criticisms for the death of detainees after their detention, nexus between the police and criminal groups for smuggling and carelessness on investigation of criminal cases. Experts underline the need for the new IGP Kshetri’s focus on addressing the shortcomings that risk eroding the trust of the public toward the law enforcement agency.
As IGP Kshetri has two years to lead the Nepal Police, he is able to undertake many reforms at the organization. Impressed with his track record of competence and professionalism, KP Sharma Oli-led government has appointed Kshetri as the IGP. Kshetri also enjoys the government’s support to unleash reforms at the Nepal Police.
