Increasing Exodus from Police Force: Over 800 Officers Voluntarily Retire Due to Neglect and Pressure

In a concerning trend, more than 800 police officers, ranging from Constable Police Officers (CPOs) to Sub-Inspectors (SIs), have submitted applications for voluntary retirement, citing neglect and excessive pressure as the primary reasons. These applications, totaling 832, were received at the police headquarters by the end of October.

Among those who have opted for voluntary retirement is Alappuzha Narcotics Cell Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) C Rajeev Kumar. Despite having six years of service left, Rajeev recently retired, attributing personal reasons for his decision. However, it is widely understood that the pressure and adverse experiences with influential political figures influenced his choice to leave the force.

Rajeev Kumar, who holds an MBA, began his career as a Sub-Inspector in 2003 and accumulated nearly 20 years of experience in law enforcement, intelligence, and marine enforcement. Despite his potential to reach the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP), he chose to retire and has now joined a leading advertising company, utilizing his expertise in graphic designing.

The reasons behind the increasing trend of voluntary retirements in the police force include:

Denied Leave Despite Sickness Notification: Officers express dissatisfaction with the denial of leave, even after informing higher officials about their health conditions.

Excessive Working Hours: Officers report having to work more than 18 hours a day, leading to burnout and dissatisfaction.

Fear of Unjust Action: Concerns arise among officers that they might face disciplinary action for offenses they did not commit, contributing to a negative work environment.

The growing exodus from the police force raises concerns about the well-being and job satisfaction of law enforcement officers and the need for systemic reforms to address these challenges.