Greater Chennai Police has gone back to the old tried and tested method of police patrolling in bicycles in several areas, to easily access the remotest corners and go closer to the public. It was Chennai Commissioner of Police, IPS Shankar Jiwal, who instructed the force to go on bicycle patrolling in their jurisdiction to build a good rapport with the local people.
Indian Masterminds spoke to DCP P. Pakalavan of Triplicane, Chennai, to know more about this initiative and how far it has been successful in bringing order in Greater Chennai.
BICYCLE PATROLLING
Following the directive of the Commissioner of Greater Chennai Police to ensure more visible policing, the Greater Chennai Police has taken to patrolling in bicycles. DCP P. Pakalavan said, “We ensure that we go on bicycles every day and interact with local public to check any illegal activities for safety and policing assessment.”
He informed that patrolling and beat system is an age-old process in the police system which started way back during the British era.
To increase the visibility of the police presence in their beat area and to increase their efficiency, Greater Chennai Police reintroduced cycle patrolling in the police system.
ADVANTAGES
According to the officer, there are number of advantages of patrolling on two wheelers. One is that they can cover more areas and public issues.
He said, “When police officers go on foot patrolling, they cannot cover large areas and thereby can’t get connected to a lot of people. That’s why we planned this bicycle patrolling so that the police officers can go to the interior areas and get feedback from the people on what kind of the problems they are facing in policing, etc.”
PURPOSE
The DCP further said that during the bicycle patrolling, police officers visit the remotest areas to make their presence felt. “It is done so that local public feel confident that police are available, and they are visiting their area frequently,” he explained.
The other purpose of bicycle patrolling is that they can collect information about any illegal activities in those areas. The police can set up their informants, they can converse with the locals, and get instant information.
“The beat system is a very old system, but we are trying to make it more effective and more visible to the public,” the officer said.
He informed that four officers per police station go on bicycle patrol every day. “We give them the time and the area to visit. They visit those areas, do patrolling, and report back to the police stations.”
RESOLVING GRIEVEANCES
When police personnel do bicycle patrolling, they get to hear the grievances of the local people, which help them to solve the issues. “Some people complained that they do not have proper lighting in the area during the evening and they requested us for proper lights and CCTV cameras. Whereas some people complained about the youngsters gathering at some places and creating nuisance. We immediately took steps to address those issues,” T Nagar DCP Hari Kiran Prasad told Indian Masterminds.
DCP Prasad also informed that the police officers share their contact numbers with the public and request them to report any illegal activities that they come across. “We try to build a relationship of trust with them so that they believe in us,” he said.
