Training overhaul: Soon,cops can opt for special courses to upgrade skills

“We have received a grant of Rs 223 crore from the 13th Finance Commission and we intend to spend Rs 55 crore in the current year to upgrade training facilities in different institutions as well as to create new training institutions,” said Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Umesh Chandra Sarangi.

Besides the Maharashtra Police Academy in Nashik and the Maharashtra Intelligence Academy in Pune,there are eight police training schools across the state as well as a detective training school. The Alpha Hawks Academy,where officers will be trained to take on Naxalites,and a Marine Training Institute in Raigad,are also in the pipeline. The Alpha Hawks Academy is likely to be inaugurated in November or early December,said officials.

According to Home department officials,the thrust behind the expenditure is to ease the burden on existing police training institutions by expanding infrastructure. This will also allow for more ‘in-service’ training for officers to hone their skills or brush up on their training,which is currently not possible.

“There are two kinds of training — induction training for direct recruitment officers and constables as well as in-service training for policemen who have been serving in the force for some time. The first kind is conducted at the existing schools and current infrastructure allows for little else as the number of new recruits every year has been quite high,” said a Home Department official,who did not wish to be named.