Police evolving themselves to tackle new-age crime
| Date :28-May-2019 |
By Dheeraj Fartode:
Even as new-age crime stares the society into its face, a simultaneous evolution in the ways and means of policing is making the Police force ready to tackle the challenge. Young officers inspired by the idea of professional excellence are getting ready to meet the challenges squarely on the strength of their training as well as individual efforts to stand up to the grimness and negative innovation of modern criminal methods. This revelation came across in conversation with four brilliant officers whose sole effort is to offer their cadres a leadership based on astute professionalism and socially-oriented policing. In the new-age of information technology and communication when any citizen can reach the police with a click and alert them about crime and anti-social activities, every action of police is being scrutinised by common man. The new technology came with new challenges for the police and Maharashtra Police Officials are also shaping themselves to win the confidence of people at every level. The cops are evolving themselves to tackle new trends of crimes including on-line frauds and cyber attacks. However, the community policing is still the effective way to deal with anti-social elements anywhere. The Hitavada interacted with four young Indian Police Service (IPS) officers and asked them a question - “What does policing mean to you?”. Here is the compilation of their answers.
Need to understand issues of conflicts: DCP Poddar
Policing and indeed any form of law enforcement cannot be effective in the information-age without winning the confidence of the public. We can no longer afford to be distant figures who evoke fear and intimidation, when the rest of the world is so connected. It is only when you have the overwhelming support of the general public that you can counteract the small minority that prosecute crime and terror. The first rule of prevention is knowledge and awareness. As a police officer it is crucial that one deeply understands issues that underlie conflicts. This enables you to predict the reaction that may be expected when trouble breaks out. Secondly, it is important to be perceived as a professional and non-partisan force. Once people know that the police will act decisively and without fear or favour, it substantially reduces the possibility of violence. Thirdly, one must have a continuing dialogue with all segments of society and their leaders. This builds a working relationship that always proves to be extremely beneficial during tense times. People then become amenable to listening to reason even when passions are running high.
Uphold law with human touch: DCP Raj Tilak Roushan
To uphold the rule of law in society, yet maintaining human touch and being citizen-centric. Police is there to be good for good people and bad for bad elements of society. Prompt, fair and professional response with a sense of service should be provided to public reaching out to police. Women, children, senior citizens and weaker sections of society should be attended with care. Policing means to have pro-active actions which preempt crime, law and order situations and instill fear in criminals. Best processes and technologies should be used diligently to assist in policing to improve service delivery. Policing is to constantly strive to act as a binding force of democracy so that citizens confidently look upto police for their safety, security and enjoying a fearless life.
Impressive presence in society: SP Rakesh Ola
Police is an organised force basically for maitaining law and order, prevention and detection of crime and enforcing the laws. In today’s world policing involves enforcing coercive measures to resolve problematic situations that have potential of causing harm to society. The police needs to be smart to make its impressive presence in the society. Being a most visible face of the government, the police needs to be smart, strong and efficient so that it can safeguard internal security and tackle complex threats including terrorism, left wing extremism, cyber crime and law and order threats faced by the country. As nature of crime changing, police needs to be extra smart to deal with it.
Policing has become multidimensional: DCP Chinmay Pandit
“Sadrakshanaya Khalanigrahanaya” (to protect good and to destroy evil) and Seva Parmo Dharma (Service is the highest religion) these two phrases catch the essence of policing. Policing involves generating fear among the bad elements and respect and sense of security among the common citizen. Today’s policing is multi-dimensional and is much complex than the traditional policing due to increased exposure to new technologies, ever expanding population, and new types of crime. The new police officer has to be well-versed with not just only law but with psychology, sociology, communication skill, cyber technology and be physically and mentally fit at the same time. So in my opinion policing is the combination of all of the above applied in the service of the nation.