Workshop on policing on Oct 8

CHANDIGARH, Oct 5: With the police image going down in the minds of the public, there is a growing concern to adapt police functioning to...

CHANDIGARH, Oct 5: With the police image going down in the minds of the public, there is a growing concern to adapt police functioning to the changing needs of society. Thus, the issue of quot;policing the policequot; has turned out to be a major issue, requiring to be addressed seriously and urgently.

With this background in mind, the Institute of Development and Communication IDC, in association with the Police Officers Institute, Chandigarh, is organising a workshop on October 8, for preparing an agenda for policing in the 21st century.

The discussion will take place on the theme paper of the workshop, the main thrust of which is to analyse the factors which give a negative image to the police. The community-police interface will include participation by prominent citizens and police officers 8211; both retired and serving, while the IDC would present the theme paper. The discussion in this regard has been initiated after the Chandigarh Police took the initiative to start certain community-oriented schemes for senior citizens, children and youth.

Though under the Police Act of 1861, the role of the police has been reduced to being an instrument of power wielders and provides less scope for community functions, the National Police Commission has raised the issue of police service earning the respect and confidence of community, without which, it says, the service can have no future.

As a majority of the public wants the police to enforce the law strictly, which results in violation of citizens8217; rights at times, the Police Commission has cautioned that it is not merely for the police to change its role, but it is the expectations of the community that have to undergo a radical change. Thus any change in the role of the police would depend on acceptance of such a role by the community, the Commission adds.

An IDC study has pointed out that with 41 per cent complaints pertaining to thefts and burglaries and 28 per cent for landlord-tenant disputes, the increasing crime in the city has also become a cause of concern for both the police and public.

It also points out to the high stress levels among the overburdened lower police ranks, who also feel that their work is going unrecognised. Training of the lower ranks was also inadequate. The workshop will also focus on these problems, even as it is proposed to strengthen the community-police interface to help reduce the influence of politicians giving protection to anti-social elements.