‘I am for zero tolerance on corruption in police’

How are you tackling the issue of corruption in the Police Department?

I have been adopting zero tolerance on corruption matters. I have personally visited every district in my zone and interacted with the SHOs and DSPs concerned who were categorically told to keep themselves away from corrupt activities, else strict action will be taken.

What is being done for the welfare of the retiring cops?

On November 30, 2015, the Jalandhar zone became the only zone in the state to implement the “Kirat Bag” scheme for the retiring cops. The initiative aims at completing the retirement formalities around six months before the retirement date. The retiring official is informed about all retirement financial benefits that he is entitled to. All sanction orders for such financial benefits will be made well in advance and on the day of the retirement, a bag containing all such orders is presented to the retiring policeman. The “Kirat Bag” contains sanction order of pension, leave encashment, GPF, DCRG, GIS, certificate of retirement, copy of service record, original certificate, etc. Earlier, it took a long time for the retiring official to get such sanction orders. Now this initiative is being replicated by the Punjab Police in every district.

Do you have any scheme in pipeline for the welfare of the serving cops and their children?

The Jalandhar zone has planned a new welfare project like setting up of gymnasiums for cops and their families wherever land is available and special career counselling for the children of policemen. For this purpose, special counsellors will be hired who will study the aptitude of the children and will, accordingly, guide them on how to pursue the discipline of their choice in a better way. The scheme is in pipeline and will soon be implemented in the zone.

How is policing being made better?

There is “general policing” and “proactive policing”, and my focus is on “proactive policing”. See, the police is a reactive force as we react to a situation, but our preventive measures are called proactive policing. We are focusing on this by way of gathering intelligence and innovative thinking with the clear motive to preventing crime before it could happen.

What is being done regarding public complaints of alleged rude behaviour of cops at police stations?

I have been personally monitoring the policing being done in police stations. Special courses are being organised for cops to make them public-friendly and polite in their language. SHOs and DSPs have been asked to frequently meet public representatives, sarpanches or hold general public meetings to build a positive image. I have been seeking reports on this issue personally.

What is being done for the families of martyrs of the Punjab Police?

I have recently announced to hold a weekly meeting with the families of the martyred Punjab Police cops. I took the initiative to prevent any harassment to the families while raising the issues of their welfare with the police authorities. Every Friday, from 10 am to 2 pm, I am giving exclusive time to listen to the grievances or issues concerning the welfare of the families whose kin had sacrificed their lives for the nation. 

What is your reaction on cops remaining overstressed due to long duty hours and VIP duties? 

To distress the constable and head constable-level staff, the SSPs have been strictly told to hold “orderly room” (weekly informal meetings) with their teams in which any cop can participate and express his grievance about the police working or complain against his senior.

What is the police doing to prevent youths in villages from getting hooked to drugs? 

We have planned to initiate a special campaign in all villages falling in our jurisdiction to encourage sports and discourage drugs. The purpose of the campaign will be to push youths towards sports activities with the sole purpose of keeping them fit and healthy and away from the drug menace. It will be our endeavour to reduce the supply of drugs by launching awareness campaigns among the masses, in genera,l and the youth, in particular. To curtail the supply of drugs, there is a scheme in place in which anybody informing about drug supply or drug peddlers will be given cash reward.

Why should youths join the police force?

Uniform, whether of the police, Army or paramilitary forces, carries a unique charm. Recently, the Punjab Police recruited staff to the rank of sub-inspectors. Further recruitment will also be done, which shows the charm among youth to join the force.

What are the parameters in place for examining efficient and inefficient staff?

Set parameters are in place to determine the good and bad work, which further decides if a policeman is efficient or not. We evaluate policemen on the basis of complaints disposed of, cases put up in court, conviction, NDSP recovery, crime prevention and feedback from the public.

If parameters are in place, do you punish the inefficient staff?

There is a policy in place for this. Those who are non-performing have been sidelined from the mainstream duty, while the performing staff are awarded. For example, recently the Punjab Police honoured the cops who arrested some gangsters during an encounter in Batala.

Why are women cops given secondary task in police stations?

Many women cops are undergoing training. Recently, 120 women sub-inspectors were recruited by the Punjab Police. Now, we are increasing the women ratio in police stations and will ensure enough women force in every police station.

SHOs sometimes do not give justice to people at the behest of politicians, your take.

I have personally interacted with all SHOs of the Jalandhar zone and they have been told not to come under any pressure from any quarter. They were told to deliver justice and if found otherwise by indulging in corruption, nobody can stop them from facing departmental action. 

Post terror attacks, what security measures are in place?

Our force in already on alert post the terror attacks. We are maintaining liaison with the Army, BSF and other agencies to keep a tab over anti-social elements. Strict instructions have been issued to the SHOs that if any cop has night duty at police station, he/she will not leave the police station and if found absent during night, departmental action could be taken against the guilty.