A number of senior Nepal Police officers are staying in their posts for more than the usual one-year term as transfer of these personnel continues to be delayed.
According to the Nepal Police Regulations, police personnel holding different posts including the chief of districts, battalion commanders, traffic chiefs, provincial police chiefs, training centre directors and other formation commanders are transferred after one year of service.
However, the transfer of inspector, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Superintendents of Police (SP), and some senior superintendents of police has been delayed even as several of them have completed one year in their current posts.
SPs yet to be transferred
The last major round of transfer of superintendents of police (SP) took place on September 16, last year when 48 SPs were transferred to posts across Nepal.
These SPs are now set to complete 13 months of service as their transfer has been indefinitely postponed by the Nepal Police headquarters.
New superintendents of police have yet to be appointed in several districts including Banke, Morang, Tanahun, Bhaktapur, Kaski, Kailali, Udayapur, Dang and East Nawalparasi.
The tenure of battalion commanders has also been unduly extended beyond the stipulated one year in several battalions including the Nepal Police Armed Police Battalion number 1, based in Naxal, Special Security Battalion in Sunaul, Madhesh Province Police Battalion in Dhanusha and special security battalions in Makwanpur, Janakpur and Tanahun.
DSPs also awaiting transfer
The transfer of deputy superintendents of police (DSP) has also been delayed by the police administration.
These police personnel hold either the districts or areas police chief or head of police circle posts in the Kathmandu Valley.
DSPs posted in Darchula, Dadeldhura, Mugu, Pyuthan, Kalikot and Panchthar districts are yet to be transferred even as several of them have already served for more than one year in their posts.
Police administration experts argue that undue delay in transfer of police personnel not only restricts their exposure to different areas of the country but also hinders their professional growth as they do not get enough hands-on experience in varied policing environment.
Transfer of police personnel in regular intervals can also help them prepare for higher responsibility as well as for posting in different geographical areas.
Police spokesperson says transfers are being arranged
Nepal Police spokesperson DIG Abinarayan Kafle said police headquarters was arranging for the transfer of personnel who have completed their one-year tenure.
He said police personnel generally transferred after one year of service even as it could sometimes be done after a short period depending on specific needs, adding that announcements on such transfers would be made in due course.
Kafle partly blamed the Bhotekoshi flood-related search and rescue operations for the delayed transfer of police personnel.
He said police personnel had been engaged in rescue operations following the disaster and their transfer had been postponed till the operation was completed.
Meanwhile, several police officials believe that the reason behind the delayed transfer has been multifactorial.
They said apart from the flood there had also been confusion over who would take charge of several districts as well as other administrative delays.
Nepal Police headquarters is now set to transfer police personnel who have already served the required tenure.