Specialist on hire to boost city police’s public image

The recruitment of a dedicated PRO is aimed at improving and speeding up the way the police disseminate information on any major incident,future plans and new projects. Most information released officially will be routed through the new official.

The Mumbai Police already have a designated Assistant Commissioner of Police (PRO),and one police inspector in each of the city’s police stations is supposed to perform the role of a PRO.

“These PROs are already supposed to be there,but we need to improve the system. The designated officers at police station level must be trained to deal with the public. We will soon be providing these men special training to carry out this job,” said Sivanandan.

In the past,the Mumbai Police had attempted an image makeover by tying up with private companies and consultants who trained policemen to improve their communication skills and physical and mental health.

Senior officers agree there is a need for a specially trained policeman to act as a PRO in each police station,primarily to improve the behaviour with visitors. Often,when people approach the police with civil disputes,the overworked Station House Officer at the police station struggles to explain the legal limits under which the police can take action. In other cases,the police are asked to intervene in domestic disputes before legal action is initiated. Now,the PRO could direct people to appropriate social organisations and NGOs. The police station PRO could also direct visitors cordially to the police officers best equipped to handle their specific complaints.