KATHMANDU: As the pivotal mechanism to ensure peace and security in the country, the leadership of Nepal Police is always regarded as enticing, promising and strategically important.

Police mechanism plays a crucial role not only in investigation and control of crime, enforcement of the law, and internal security management but also in addressing the most deemed sense of security to the public.

Everyone aware of the gravity of the position of Inspector of Superintendent of Police(IGP) has started wondering at the next would be IGP of Nepal.

As the 27th IGP Thakur Prasad Gyawali is retiring on July 9, the post has drawn the attention of the people aware of the role of police mechanism and its role.

Sub-clause 1 (d) of Clause 127 in the Police Regulations 2014, there is the provision related to the mandatory retirement in the police force. This provision hails 30 years in service as the mandatory time for retirement.

AIGP Tarani Prasad Lamsal, who is also of the same batch as IGP Gyawali, is also retiring on the same date.

With 2 more weeks for Gyawali’s retirement, the ‘competition’ for the post of new leadership is surfacing.

Who are in the race of IGP?

Incumbent IGP Gyawali was luckier not to have any AIGP to succeed the post before him, hence, he got a chance to be promoted to IGP from DIG.

However, this time there are AIGP duos Shailesh Thapa Chhetri and Hari Pal are in the race for the most valuable feather in the force.

As AIGP Lamsal is retiring with IGP Gyawali, only Thapa and Pal are there for competition for the post. Both of them joined the force as Inspector in 1992.

Whoever bags the post of IGP can retain the feather of IGP till May 2, 2022.

AIGP Thapa has been looking after the Human Resource and Administration Department whereas pal has been looking after Operation and Crime Investigation Department. In Police records, both Thapa and Pal have spared themselves from any disputable matter so far.

Thapa has successfully taken command of the most challenging areas as Jhapa and Kaski districts. He has also accomplished the challenging tasks in the Metropolitan Police Office, Ranipokhara and the spokesperson of the police.

Likewise, AIGP Pal has feathered himself at his best in Kaski, Rupandehi, Dhanusha, Province 2 and Special Bureau.

Who weighs right?

The government had cited seniority as the most important criterion for the selection of IGP formerly. Weighing thus, Shailesh Thapa Chhetri is the most eligible quality.

Yet, there is a provision that says that anyone government ‘deems the best’ can be appointed as IGP. Although the government has started the internal procedure for the selection of new IGP, no final decision is made to date.

According to Home Ministry sources, the ministry has initiated the process of preparing the list of prospective candidates and the report of their performance appraisal. Once the report is complete, the Home Minister tables the report to the Ministry of Council. Finally, once the Council of Ministers consents the report, the IGP is selected.

Unlike in the previous edition of the competition for the post of IGP, the competitors seem quiet. AIGP duos Thapa and Pal have adopted the policy of abstaining publicity and campaigning.

What makes the race the most for police leadership?

IGP as the head of the organization held responsible and accountable for the management of internal security is deemed high in respect. The access and prestige the head of the organization exercises also dignifies the post.

The fact that the IGP can enjoy the privilege of internal security management, makes the post tempting for the ones in the service.

Besides, the political leadership also keeps its eyes on the leadership with the hope to influence the organization and sometimes the position in the party.

Former DIGs think misuse or abuse of power rather than its proper use the key factor behind the ‘unfair’ competition for the post.

“Citing that the IGP of one’s favor can ease many crooked intents of the politicians, the political leadership is overexcited to get the man of their choice irrespective of the person’s professional excellence and organizational needs.” Says former DIGP Hemanta Malla.

“The Council of Ministers has the right to pick the head of police,” Malla adds, “Provided the leadership aspires to get the right man in the right place at the right time it has all possibilities.”

Malla hints at the lack of political willpower to improve the organizational performance and regrets that the organization is unable to act as per people’s expectations and its own capacity due to the error of judgment on the political leadership’s part.

Challenges for new IGP

The main challenge waiting for the new IGP is the COVID-19 induced crisis management.

“With wide-spreading coronavirus transmission, the main challenge for the new leadership is to mobilize the entire team for prevention and control of the pandemic without letting any member succumb to it,” Former AIGP Nava Raj Dhakal said to Khabarhub.

Former AIG Dhakal thinks crime control another tough nut for the newly feathered head of the police.

“Shrinking of economic activities due to COIVD-19 may make room for financial crimes,” Dhakal revealed another challenge, “controlling the criminal activities induced by starvation and scarcity.”

The frustration caused by coronavirus crisis and lockdown may take the form of protests in the streets. In such a condition, the police should use the force but should ensure that no damage is made to both sides.

“Besides COVID-19 induced crisis, the management of the internal discipline in the police force, the chain of command, the frustration, etc. seek the attention of the leadership,” Dhakal said.

Former DIG Hemanta Malla thinks that the main challenge for the new leadership is to spare the declining name and fame of the force.

“Be it the Nirmala rape and murder scam or the gold trafficking scam or even the weaknesses noticed in the career planning inside the police force,” Former DIG Malla said to Khabarhub, “the main challenge for the new IGP is to safeguard the glory of the organization.”

According to Malla, the dissatisfaction is at the rise in the organization. “The political interference has resulted in the decline of the glory of organization, so the leadership should ensure that more than the political sycophancy, abiding by the chain of command is important. Together with it if the faith of the civilian is restored, the leadership proves to be successful,” Malla concluded.