You won’t see us run helter skelter: Sivanandan

One year after 26/11, Mumbai’s citizens have high hopes from the Mumbai police. Force One on the lines of NSG, has also been set up. The commissioner of police D Sivanandan tells DNA that there will be prompt response in the future.
 
What have we learnt from 26/11?
We have learnt that there are many ways a terrorist can attack and we may not be ready to deal with different scenarios, but we are prepared to face an emergency. We have 600-1,000 men who are equal to commandos — this is our first tier of preparedness. They have been given bullet-proof helmets, jackets, American guns and bullet-proof armoured vehicles like the army, navy, NSG and other agencies.
 
Are the police mentally prepared for such a situation?
The police morale, too, is high. They were taken aback last time but now they know they are armed with the necessary equipment. The second level of preparedness is in the police force itself. Today, we have 39 armed combat vehicles in 39 areas; over 1,000 armed personnel are deployed in areas, with additional commissioners control rooms — south region, eastern region Chembur, western region Bandra and north Kandivilli. These personnel will be present, round the clock.
 
There were proposals to have boats and additional equipment?
We also have bomb disposal squads, sea legs, and amphibian and speed boats. The Force One team has 250 trained personnel, who have been trained on the lines of NSG. In addition we have 235 NSG commandos at our service. So in that sense, the time delay, which we saw on 26/11 will not happen. My vehicles are installed with GPS, wireless communication, too, will be easier. The plans to install CCTV cameras across the city is underway, it will take a while. No one can accuse that our men are not ready. You won’t see them running helter skelter.