DCPs must meet citizens every Sat: Police chief

 

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Mumbai: New police commissioner Satya Pal Singh has issued an order, saying officers of the rank of a deputy commissioner have to be present at police stations every Saturday, when they will interact with the common man. Policemen believe that the move will help strengthen the police-public relationship.
 

    Though the scheme has been in place for the past several years—it was initiated by former police commissioner M N Singh—deputy commissioners would not always attend the meetings. Now, it’s been made mandatory that a DCP will have to be present for the interactive sessions. “It will help people get justice,” said a DCP, adding that from September 1, all DCPs will have to attend the meetings with residents to hear their grievances and try to redress them. Commissioner Singh himself has decided to be at the Bandra police station this Saturday.
 

    Usually, at police darbars, people from an area visit the local police station and speak to officers about the problems they face. “If not satisfied with the police action, they try to meet senior officers. Now, it will be easier for citizens to highlight their concerns in front of DCPs,” said the police.
 

    But going by past cases, some feel such an initiative would not last long. “Most times, DCPs are busy with their other meetings or bandobasts. It’s a welcome move by the new police chief but it should be followed properly. If it’s meant for a good public-police relationship, the officers should take the initiative in solving the citizens’ problems. It should not become ‘just another scheme’ by a new police chief,” said an observer.
 

Cop cover order for demolition Mumbai: Police chief Satya Pal Singh has said the civic body, before conducting demolition drives, will not have to take permission for cop cover from the police headquarters; instead, zonal deputy commissioners have been empowered to give the nod.
    Mumbai police spokesperson Nisar Tamboli said earlier, the decisions of sending policemen to the spots were taken at the commissionerate. “Now, a DCP can take a decision on demolition and provide police cover to those conducting it,” he said. According to a source, the new system will help the civic body conduct more such drives as the permission for police protection will be granted faster.
—Mateen Hafeez 
 

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The Times of India, August 31, 2012