CUTTACK: Strengthening of basic policing systems including infrastructure development at police stations, manpower augmentation as well as upgradation of skills and capacities has been put high on agenda for the State police this year.
DGP Sanjeev Marik on Wednesday asked senior officers to inspect police stations regularly so as to streamline their functioning. Periodic review of the status of case investigations and performance of the investigating officers and other staff by senior officers will bring about significant improvement in policing, he stated.
The DGP, while inaugurating the 58th Senior Police Officers’ Conference, exhorted the cops to exhibit exemplary leadership qualities and highest standards of professionalism, integrity and probity in their work. The officers should rise to the expectations of people, attending to their problems and concerns in a friendly and speedy manner.
The behaviour of officers at police stations needed a drastic change. People visiting the police stations should be treated courteously with officers and staff showing utmost sensitivity to their complaints and problems. Crime investigation was an area that required substantial improvement, Marik stated.
The DGP emphasised on prompt and proper investigation of crime against women and children. Women, children and weaker sections should be accorded top priority and handled with utmost sensitivity and empathy, he said.
Marik also called upon the officers to show restraint and use minimum force while dealing with law and order and crowd control situations. Dialogue and discussions with agitators should be accorded utmost importance to defuse law and order situations.
Marik congratulated the senior officers for successful conduct of the General and Assembly elections as well as subsequent by-elections and civic body polls.
The SPs and young officers were in for special praise for their efforts in combating Left Wing Extremism and crime control in their districts. However, focus should be on ensuring that there is no revival of Naxalism in the cleared areas and its spread to newer areas.
The two-day long conference, which will draw the action plan for State police for the coming year, had detailed deliberations on Left Wing Extremism, Crime Control, improving response and service delivery at police stations, law and order, Intelligence, upgradation of capabilities to deal with new and emerging crimes and technology infusion.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will attend the valedictory session of the conference on Thursday.