Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala recently announced the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a monthly allowance of Rs. 7,000 for Police officers, which is to be disbursed from next month (December). According to him, this payment is intended to help officers meet the costs of uniforms and shoes, and that Rs. 1,100 million has been allocated this year to facilitate its distribution.

While there is nothing problematic about this decision, there is a more pressing question as to how much real change will this allowance make in the lives and professional realities of Police officers, especially in the current economic climate.

For decades, it has been widely acknowledged that policing is not a typical eight-hour job. Many officers work long, irregular shifts, and their service is effectively a 24/seven commitment. Police officers interact with a wide spectrum of individuals ranging from members of the public to high-profile figures to dangerous offenders, and they are deployed in a broad range of settings including public events, disaster zones, crime scenes, political gatherings, hospitals and even schools when necessary. The responsibilities of the Police force extend far beyond arresting criminals or maintaining public order. Depending on the situation, officers provide countless other services including assisting victims, managing emergencies, resolving disputes, responding to domestic violence, supporting disaster relief, and assisting the smooth functioning of public institutions. Their duties are wide-ranging, unpredictable, and often exhausting both physically and psychologically.

At present, the policing environment is even more demanding. The Government’s ongoing programmes to eradicate corruption and dismantle drug networks have significantly increased the workload and risk levels faced by officers. Islandwide anti-drug operations, intensified crime-control measures, and responses to the ongoing crime wave require substantial Police involvement in unpredictable and sometimes dangerous conditions.

In this context, an allowance should not merely be an attempt to adjust pay or increment gaps. It should also function as a form of recognition and encouragement to continue working in these diverse and demanding environments. A boost to Police officers’ morale is as important as a boost to their income.

How satisfactory this allowance increase is, is only one aspect of the challenges concerning the Police force. Given the working conditions described above, and also the severe economic pressures affecting all households including those of Police officers, there is a real risk that officers may become vulnerable to corruption. The worrying number of reports involving both current and former Police and military personnel aiding criminal networks for financial gains highlights this risk. A proper increase in earnings could contribute to reducing the temptation to seek unlawful sources of income by misusing Police officers’ power or position. Yet, preventing corruption is not only about salaries. If the Police profession is to be strengthened, it must also become an attractive career where opportunities for advancement, training, professional development and dignity in service are offered.

Recently, the Government said that Sri Lanka faces a shortage of 28,000 Police officers, and that the immediate recruitment of 5,000 officers has received attention. In this context, both recruiting and retaining Police officers should receive attention. An allowance that is not added to the basic salary, which is taken into account when deciding the pension and certain other benefits, raises doubts about its ability to encourage Police officers.

At a time when the Government is combatting multiple aspects of illegal activity and initiating long-delayed institutional reforms to strengthen the rule of law, keeping the Police force motivated, well-supported and operationally ready is crucial. Policymakers must recognise this and devise long-term solutions rather than relying on temporary measures.

At the same time, reform should be balanced. The public’s trust in the Police remains eroded by decades of misconduct, brutality, and lack of accountability. It is equally essential for the Government and the Police force to transparently address complaints against Police officers. A cleaner, more accountable Police service will improve public perception and will also elevate the professionalism and pride within the Police force. An allowance can help, but, only to a certain extent. Lasting change requires more efforts.