NEW DELHI: Don’t be surprised, if you see a big group of police officers on foot or on bike patrolling residential colonies around evening in the national capital.
Special Commissioner of Police SBK Singh has made radical changes in beat policing at 89 police stations in north, central northeast and east to curb crimes.
In one such change, beat officers will walk around and meet residents at parks, lanes or even outside their houses; interact with them and hear their grievances.
“Beat policing is the backbone of policing in the city. This is the only means to have a continuous relationship with the general public,” Singh said.
He has recently reviewed around 973 beats that cover almost half the national capital. Making radical changes in beat policing, Singh said, “Measures have been taken that beat constables do not develop vested interests in the area. Therefore a system has been introduced whereby a beat official will continue in a particular area for one year and extension will have to be approved by the Assistant Commissioner of Police. However, after two years, the beat officials will be transferred out of the police station.”
In Delhi, there are over 1,000 cases where beat officials stayed at one place for several years and eventually got involved in illegal activities such as extortion. They would collect money from businessmen, hawkers and history-sheeters.
To end corruption at the ground level, Singh has taken a strong step wherein a beat official would be responsible for the crimes under his jurisdiction.
Besides, community policing exercise, the concept of beat policing has been enlarged to include several things. “A beat constable should know about the criminals of the area. He should be able to identify the houses where they stay,” Singh said.
In fact, beat policeman is the first point of contact for the common man, hence, they have to be fully equipped and trained. It is the duty of a beat official to regularly undertake security audit at schools, colleges, banks and other iconic buildings in the area and suggest security measures.
Servant and tenant verification are areas where a beat constable is also expected to be effective. Visit to a senior citizen’s home and discussing their security needs is also their duty.
They should also meet the office bearer of market and Resident Welfare Associations and discuss with them strategies to combat crime and thefts, Singh added.