VIJAYAWADA: To reduce crimes committed against women and young girls, Shakti teams were introduced in Machilipatnam on Monday.Krishna SP Sarvasrestha Tripathi, after the inauguration, said the special wing has 22 women cops, divided in five teams, who were trained in martial arts, swimming and driving.The cops, who will sport blue shirts and khaki trousers, will reach crime spots as early as possible in vehicles provided to them.
The initiative is to encourage more women to join the security forces and instil confidence in them. These 22 cops were trained by senior officials and are capable of tackling difficult situations concerning women.
Explaining their style of work, Tripathi said the five teams would patrol residential colonies, slums, and areas with educational institutions and offices, and interact with women. “All ‘Shakti’ policewomen are provided with Android mobile phones with SOS app installed in it. When a complaint is received through the app or emergency services such as ‘Dial 100’, the nearest Sakthi cop will respond to it,” he explained. These women will work from 7 am to 9 pm in two shifts.
Meanwhile, West Godavari SP M Ravi Prakash distributed vehicles to the Shakti teams in Eluru on Monday. The official said these teams would work towards sensitising girls about Acts and laws that protect them.