subject: UT Security is it getting any better [print this page] UT Security is it getting any better UT Security is it getting any better
UT Security is it getting any better!
The vision statement of Chandigarh Police at the outset states "Ensure optimum public safety and security to enhance a quality of life in the community through community policing at all levels." How best it is being implemented is aptly narrated by Sanjeev Singh Bariana in his article UT SECURITY: FROM BAD TO WORSE.
Chandigarhians are sore at the rapidly growing scenario of crime in the city and all attempts, so far, at its improvement have miserably failed. Even senior Police officers seem to agree as every successive SSP UT has attempted to introduce measures to check the crime. Despite these attempts the security and safety of the citizens remains at stake.
The Recent incidents of burglaries, in the sector markets of the city, have instilled a sense of fear amongst the traders. The regular ongoing snatching incidents have caused fear in the minds of ladies. The looting and waylaying of innocent people have created a panic in the minds of citizens. Elderly people have been targeted in the four walls of their houses.
No section of the society feels secure. Sense of insecurity is prevalent all around. The ATM frauds have deterred people to shun using the ATM facility. The Banks have yet to evolve a system to instill confidence among the customers. The situation is getting darker.
Another point in the vision statement of the Chandigarh Police dwells on" Develop(ing) quality law enforcement concepts and use technology, involving every member of the department in efforts to improve all areas of administration and operations."
In this regard, every successive SSP of UT has evolved plans that would let the citizenry feel secure. How and why this could not bear results is something that needs to be debated in the department. A proper introspection would lead to definite clues which then logically followed would bring in the difference.
Undoubtedly, the shortage of staff exists in the department. On the top of it, a major segment of the staff is deployed in VIP and VVIP security. Provision of security to politicians and bureaucrats is now more a status symbol. With law and order under control and terrorist perception eliminated, the provision needs immediate full/partial withdrawal relieving the personnel for city duties.
There is unanimity that the Beat system had been instrumental in combating the crime graph in the city. Its withdrawal has led to spurt of smaller crimes and gradually it sore in to bigger incidents due to inadequate presence of the Police. This inadequate presence of police was ascribed to shortage of staff even by the senior most officers of the department.
Promotional avenues in the career ladder matter the most, in the police department of the city chances of promotions are limited. No concrete proposals/policies have been drafted to address to this aspect. I have not seen an eligible officer rising above the position of DSP with exception of one or two.
The DSP level position is most important to address the security and safety of the citizens. Inspector level officers vie to get this position and the actual working of the department' is mostly left to the subordinates who become over burdened with innumerable responsibilities leading to choking of chances of security.
On the positive side of the problem, it is now pertinent to constitute an All India cadre of Police for the Union territories in the country so that their posting and promotions may work on all India bases. There is no paucity of talent yet these needs to be nourished and developed. Till then our Police Bosses need to harp on better ways of policing so that everything contained in their vision document is translated into public safety and security.
