Minister Reacts to Police Violence

Minister of the Interior Besir Atalay has reacted to the increase in police violence in recent months by publishing a circular order on police authorities.

The circular reads as follows:

"It is the basic duty and the raison d'etre of the state to watch and protect human rights and freedoms and to realise them for everyone without showing discrimination. The police, as the executive force of the state, not only provides public order and security, but also protects and guarantees democracy within the state of law and human rights and freedoms."

"Relevant articles in the Law No. 2559 on Police Duties and Authorities ensure that the police uses its power without limiting human rights or damaging the essence of basic rights."

"When the police carry out their duty, they must consider the sensitive balance between human rights and freedoms and ensuring security, and must assess and determine the limits in a professional manner. When our police have contact with citizens, they will, as always, definitely smile and act in a friendly manner; they will first introduce themselves and then carry out the necessary procedures as fast as possible."

"It is emphatically desired that our police, when carrying out their duties with dedication and success, remember previously published circulars, reconsider the points made below and, behaving more sensitively,  act according to the principle of zero mistakes.

1. Police chiefs and supervisors will use communication channels effectively and productively in order to give clear, intelligible and timely orders when events require the use of force and weapons, so that the necessary degree of intervention is used. They will also ensure the monitoring of events.

2. Internal training for police on their powers will continue; should conditions and events require it, the existing training curriculum will be reviewed.

3. In order to prevent mistakes in the use of their powers and in order to take precautions, the personnel on duty will be controlled by their immediate supervisors.

4. Personnel which abuses powers incriminates the whole police force; no tolerance will be shown when it comes to applying the necessary legal procedures.

We will not allow our Project for Policing with the Support of Society and the good image of our police force to be damaged in the public eye."

"The whole police force will continue, as it has done until now, to serve the people with great dedication and will gain the place it deserves in the hearts of our people. I ask for our personnel at all levels to be reminded of this circular and matters raised in previously published circulars and for their implementation to be pursued with more care and without allowing any delay." (NZ/AG)