“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit”
- Aristotle
Law and order sustains our society. The Sri Lanka Police Service is probably the oldest in Asia established in 1866. A fact not known by many is that the present Police Station at Maradana was once the Police Headquarters. During this time the city of Colombo was divided into 15 administrative zones, and these zones still form our postal area code.
It was in 1905 that Inspector General Longden realized the need to enhance training methods, and thus, the Police Training Division was established at Prince Street, Pettah.
The first intake had 436 recruits, attired in their khaki shorts (the Police terminology for this material is gabardine).
This basic uniform for neophyte officers continues to this very day. Subsequently, the training school shifted to Police Park, Bambalapitiya. In 1967, plans were put in place to relocate the growing institution to occupy 200 acres of land at Kalutara.
The Sri Lanka Police College is the cradle of law enforcement training. The school offers training programs for recruits in the rank of Police Constable, Sub- Inspector and Assistant Superintendent of Police.
The College is under the direct supervision of Senior Deputy Inspector General, M.R. Latiff, who is ably supported by DIG Sanjeewa Dharmaratne and Director Training SSP Damyantha Wijesri. The training division has seven schools across the island- Kalutara, Elpitiya, Kundasale, Nikaweratiya, Pallagama, Mahiyangana, Boralanda and Kalladi, producing hundreds of policemen and policewomen.
Making of a Sub-Inspector
Aspiring recruits are summoned for an interview where their academic and physical abilities are scrutinized. Those who are selected make their way to Kalutara, the heart of Officer training. Male recruits receive the legendary “zero crop” haircut at the salon. Female recruits can keep their long hair but it must be worn neatly. The trainees are absorbed into 17 stations. Here they meet new friends and endure their training. They survive only by teamwork.
Over the next 18 months the probationary sub inspectors begin their day at 5 am. They have to “muster” at the parade grounds by 6.30 am for one hour of physical training. The tired recruits are served breakfast at 8am.
Between 8.30 am and 11am they follow lectures. The officers learn six modules that include - criminal law, criminal justice, ethics of Sri Lanka Police, communication skills, language skills, writing, crime scene management, e-crime, intelligence, community policing ,leadership and management, operation planning and disaster management. When I visited the College I was able to see them at practical classes where they learn the basics of arresting a suspect using handcuffs. The school has a model court, where Sub- Inspectors learn to prosecute and produce evidence.
According to SSP Damayantha Wijesiri, “The Police service has a primary vision, i.e. to work towards a peaceful environment, live with confidence without fear of crime and violence, enforce the law of the land, preserve public order and prevent crime’. He strongly emphasized the need to sustain a bond between the public and the police.
“This is taught to recruits in the community policing module.” All officers must remember that they join the service as civilians. Someday, when they retire they must integrate back into society as civilians, and therefore, never act with pride or abuse their authority, when in uniform”.
This is s fine doctrine, but sadly, some officers at Police Stations seem to have forgotten this doctrine inculcated in them at Kalutara. Perhaps, it is the stress laden duty that manifests in their attitudes and actions that fall short of desired service standards. In order to produce holistic law enforcers, the police focus on the spiritual essence of a human being.
The School has a Buddhist temple and Hindu kovil within their compound. Recruits from the Muslim and Christian faiths have access to visit their places of worship every week.
Language proficiency
Probationary Sub-Inspectors also undergo training in language skills. Today, the Police service has understood the importance of accepting complaints from all Sri Lankans in the language they are proficient in.
Hence, recruits learn Sinhalese, Tamil and English. The Director has placed top priority to enhance English Language skills. Every officer, including the Instructors must maintain a diary in English.
This is supplemented by IT skills and the recruits learn about e-crime on laptops. The training is not limited to books. All men and women must undergo shooting exams and be proficient to fire a T-56 rifle and handgun. Jungle training ensues that these future cops can adapt to any terrain.
During weekends, the recruits display their talent in organizing dramas and other forms of cultural entertainment. The College has a new Productivity Improvement Unit where various management doctrines including the 5S methods are taught.
In addition, the recruits engage in agriculture, which reminds them of their responsibility to the environment. The massive complex has a hospital, a bakery and a post office.
During my tour I came across some female trainees aspiring to be Police Constables. It was nice to see 200 Sri Lankans attired in blue skirts and white shirts. These recruits receive their training in Sinhalese and Tamil.
This is a splendid step towards integrating all communities into the Police service. I spoke to an Instructor, Sub Inspector Hiruni Jayaratne, who had just graduated from the College last year. This lady officer from Kegalle said, “I am proud to serve the College that once trained me.
Now I can teach new recruits, as I really understand how they feel during their tenure of training, as I went through it myself”. SI Hiruni and her team were studying in an outdoor open classroom. This is a new concept at the SLPC.
On completion of training, the officers will march into the Aluvihare parade grounds and receive awards for their performance over the past 18 months.
Next, they will be posted to various branches of the police service. Some will work at one of the 450 police stations island wide. Thus, the Sri Lanka Police College continues to serve our nation.