The Mumbai police have come in for a lot of flak recently, even more so in the aftermath of the terror attacks in the city.
The Mumbai police have come in for a lot of flak recently, even more so in the aftermath of the terror attacks in the city. It was seen as slow, under-equipped and without any processes and systems to tackle a major incident such as this. This, despite working almost round the clock for three days and losing many of its finest officers and men.
Not surprisingly, the mood is demoralised and angry and the city’s police commissioner confirms this. “Yes, there is bitterness in the force, mainly due to all kinds of untrue reports and perceptions floating around. From the constable to the highest police officer, all were out in the field. There is no doubt that each one did a commendable job. The entire force went beyond their call of duty to protect the people,” Hassan Gafoor told DNA.
He declined to elaborate on who was spreading such stories and did not want to name any one critic, but feels that as far as the city is concerned, it has appreciated the police force. “We have the conviction that the entire city and the people are with us.
Remember, this was one of its kind of event in the world, where the enemies came from the sea and held the city to ransom.”
Conscious of the need to change systems, Gafoor has already begun introducing new measures to upgrade weapons, provide better training and introduce new technology for the protection of the Mumbai’s citizens. In fact some police officers were sent on a training programme to Singapore, some British officers were called in to help them enhance policing post the 26/11 aftermath.
“We have enhanced effective nakabandis, as it is a tool to disrupt plans of anti-social elements. We have begun checking hotels and lodges seriously,” Gafoor said. “More so, we have on an immediate basis begun training the personnel at all the police stations with weapons and arms, improving communication and transportation of the police,” said Gafoor.
In fact, now the Mumbai police is on an immediate basis going to introduce biometric analysis along with the CCTV cameras across the city. “We will begin with 5000 CCTV cameras and biometric analysis. This system will enhance policing further. As has been seen abroad, this technology is effective. We can track people once their face or photo is fed in. This new system will help us track people, their unattended luggage and most important their vehicle number plate.”
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