BENGALURU: With just 191 cops per lakh population, Bengaluru sits at the bottom in comparison with other major cities in the country, said Police Commissioner B Dayananda. The United Nations recommends standard of 673 cops per lakh.
In a special meeting organised by the police with social media influencers at the commissioner’s office on Saturday evening, Dayananda said, “The shortage at present is in the range of 22-23%. We have 18,308 civil police and 6,999 Armed Reserve personnel in our 25,307 strong police force.”
Elaborating on the huge challenges the department faced, he said the staff strength (excluding traffic) per police station too was the least. “Bengaluru had just 162 cops in each of its 113 police stations when compared to 499 cops Mumbai had in each of its 93 police stations. Delhi had 416 cops in each of its 203 stations, Kolkata had 310 cops each in each of its 80 stations, while Chennai had 190 cops in each of its 102 stations, reveal data released by the Command Centre.
“Technology, artificial intelligence and citizens going all out to supplement the police force like that done by the residents' welfare group, Changemakers of Kanakapura, that had recently funded and installed CCTVs in their area are crucial in ensuring safety for all,” he said.
Joint Commissioner of Traffic AN Anucheth said the department was taking stringent action against those performing wheelies and bike stunts. He said criminal cases are being booked against the riders, the driving licence is suspended and the RC is also being suspended in case of modified vehicles.
The guardians or parents in the case of minor boys are made to pay between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000. This was done in the case of six boys who were caught recently, he said.
In case of repeat offenders, a different tactic is being adopted to put an end to them engaging in such acts. “They are booked under Section 107 of CrPC. The jurisdictional Deputy Commissioners of Police for Law and Order, who are also the executive magistrates, collect a bond for Rs 5 lakh from the families. If any further offence is committed, the amount is forfeited.” This has already been done in the case of one boy in South Bengaluru and two in West Bengaluru, Anucheth informed.