2,000 cops to get some expert advice

By Mateen Hafeez/TNN

Mumbai: After attempting to improve police-public relations with the help of the Israeli consultancy firm Mercuri Goldman, the city police now plans to rope in other firms to conduct special programmes for police constables on issues such as stress, motivation and gender sensitisation.

Over 4,000 police constables are expected to attend the training sessions this week. The city police has invited experts such as Dr Rushi Pandya and two private consultancy firms from New Delhi and Bangalore for this.

The lectures, twice a day, will be conducted at Naigaon police headquarters, Bandra and south Mumbai. The first phase of the training session will be conducted on May 5 and May 6. “We have spoken to several professionals who will deliver lectures on various issues during this programme,’’ police commissioner A N Roy said.

Asked if the Mercuri Goldman experiment—culture of care and competence—had flopped, joint commissioner of police (administration) P K Jain said, “You can’t say that although we did not get the expected results. We have noticed positive changes in the behaviour of policemen. It will take some more time for long-term changes.’’

Policemen from the rank of inspector and above attended the Mercuri Goldman programme where lecturers focused on human behaviour, attitude, conversation with visitors in the police stations etc.

Dr Pandya, a management expert, will train the policemen in behavioural science.

The Times of India, May 3, 2005