BANGALORE
In conversation with DNA, Ajai Kumar Singh talks about the need for creating a humane face for the police, and his plans for the department.
The state’s director-general of police, Ajai Kumar Singh, believes in building bridges with the people. Singh got involved in pro-people initiatives during his formative years in the Indian Police Service, and it paid off. The launch of a toll-free number for the people to contact the state police with their grievances is his latest initiative, which soon won the confidence of the citizens.
In conversation with DNA, Singh talks about the need for creating a humane face for the police, and his plans for the department.
What is the response to your pro-people initiatives?
After the toll-free telephone number (1-800-4250-100) was introduced, we received a lot of complaints against the local police from all over the state. We have ordered several inquiries, besides referring the complaints to the respective district police
superintendents.
The largest number of complaints was against the city police. The toll-free number has helped us to find out whether there was any lack of initiative by the police to tackle the problems people face.
How does the toll-free helpline work?
Anyone can dial the toll-free number to seek police help, pass on information about crime and criminals, suggestions for improvement of police-community relations and any grievances regarding corruption among police or other highhanded actions.
The calls will be recorded and followed up. The caller will also get a feedback on the action initiated on his complaint.
We have carefully selected the personnel to manage this toll-free number. There are 20 sub-inspectors engaged in collecting information and handling the response system. They work in three shifts. Six constables with thorough computer knowledge, or technicians, collate the information. One inspector acts as the officer in-charge of the toll-free number helpline. Only those committed personnel are posted at the toll-free station.
Is there any visible change in the attitude of local police after you have taken charge as the DGP last year?
Ever since we introduced the third Sunday of every month as ‘complainants day’, the police now don’t refuse to register cases. There is a desk at the office of all district superintendents of police and all deputy commissioner’s office in the commissionerates in Bangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Mangalore and Mysore to accept complaints, if they are refused at the station level. A sub-inspector will receive these complaints, which will be forwarded to the police station concerned for investigation.
Corruption and high-handedness are the complaints citizens have against the police. Do you have any plans to tackle these problems?
We know there are problems in the department. But the department is undergoing a change, which may be slow. We are trying to make policing effective, with focus on crime prevention and detection, which directly affect the society. We have found a novel way to keep watch over the police stations, with the help of local residents. The telephone numbers of senior officers are being displayed in all police stations. If anyone feels he or she did not get the proper response from individual police station, he or she can contact the senior officer. Refusing to file complaints, demanding bribe or denying justice could also be brought to the notice of the senior officers by dialling the number displayed at the police station.
Those in the lower ranks in the police department are overworked, which affects their efficiency. Are there any plans to make their life better?
Though we are planning to restrict their working hours to eight hours, it is yet to take place as there is a shortage of staff. But we have extended better insurance facilities to them, since they are found to be stressed out. We have also increased their weekly-off allowance to Rs100 from Rs50. We are also planning to introduce more welfare measures, which may take some more time.
How about improving the overall function of the department?
We have several plans. We have received a comprehensive report on the working of the department. We want some more feedback in improving the services we provide. There are enough funds allocated for crime investigation. The police becoming closer to the people is the best way to maintain peace and tranquillity in the society.
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