Promotion claims in Turkish police: 'Some officers fighting FETÖ were not promoted'

Discussions surrounding irregularities and a lack of meritocracy have emerged concerning recent promotions within the Turkish General Directorate of Security. Journalist Tolga Şardan, in an article for T24, highlighted claims circulating in police circles about the promotion process.

According to Şardan's report, the Director General of Security, Ali Fidan, initially announced 270 positions for promotions of directors and chiefs. However, it was later stated that 593 police directors were promoted to first-class security director status. Despite the parliament approving approximately 1,100 positions, a significant number of police directors reportedly awaiting promotion did not receive it.

A key allegation gaining traction is that some inspectors who led investigations into the FETÖ (Fethullah Gülen Terrorist Organization) were overlooked for promotion. This includes inspectors working within the General Directorate of Security's Inspection Board who were reportedly investigating police officers suspected of FETÖ ties.

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The Director General of Security, Ali Fidan, announced the numbers of director and chief promotions that would take effect the same night as 270. For some reason, he did not announce the number of those who were promoted.

Further claims suggest that some individuals promoted may not have met meritocratic criteria. One specific allegation points to a police director who was present during a meeting between businessman Sezgin Baran Korkmaz and the then-Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu before Korkmaz fled the country. This individual reportedly received a first-class promotion.

These reports fuel speculation that the promotion process may have been influenced by factors other than merit, potentially impacting officers involved in sensitive investigations, including the fight against FETÖ.

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Some inspectors who were involved in the fight against FETÖ, and who are currently working in the General Directorate of Security's Inspection Board and investigating police officers allegedly linked to FETÖ, could not be promoted.