In perhaps the first such move of its kind anywhere in India, as many as 46 women beat officers have been appointed in a Delhi area. To those who may not be aware of it, a beat officer is the most important bridge between the public and the police establishment, and from the days of the British, this post has been held by men.
Now, the North-West police district of Delhi would be the first area to break the age-old tradition. These women beat-officers will patrol the region on their motorbikes and help people by addressing their grievances.
The initiative of North-West district DCP, IPS officer Ms. Usha Rangnani is garnering accolades from everyone, especially the elder population. In a conversation with Indian Masterminds, Ms. Rangnani and PRO Mr. Chinmay talked about the same.
WOMEN BEAT OFFICERS
According to Mr. Chinmay, in the last 4-5 years, the female ratio in police service has increased. This in turn increases their recruitment in different fields. “Recruiting women in beat is not new, but forming an all-women beat faculty is a new practice!” he said.
Ms. Rangnani, the brain behind the initiative stated, “I have deployed one woman-beat officer each in all the 11 police stations under me. We have employed the women staff. They will be patrolling, attend the calls, reach out to senior citizens and meet the residents, etc.”
She has identified areas that are ‘women-centric’, i.e., they are either sensitive from the point of view of crimes against women or have a major footfall of women- such as market areas. There are also certain areas where there are large numbers of women residing alone in PGs or hostels.
“In each area, I have established one beat wherein I have deployed all-women staff. They were deployed earlier too, but for the first time a dedicated women beat has been setup, in all the police stations,” Ms. Rangnani told Indian Masterminds.
IN TOUCH WITH SENIORS
The IPS officer has not just given these beat officers a responsibility but has also given them total authority. Today, people listen to them and obey if they are told something. Moreover, the beat officers have also created groups on Whatsapp, specifically for the senior citizens in the area, especially the ones who are living alone and whose children have settled outside. The officers go to meet them, enquire about their well-being and if there are any issues, these can be communicated easily through the Whatsapp group.
“They are also providing essentials to the elders. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many elderly people, since they are at high risk, are afraid to come out of their homes. They approach the officers for essential needs such as medicines, food, drinking water, etc., and get the help that they need,” said Ms. Rangnani.
WOMEN ONROAD
The women beat officers not only interact with the females but also the males. They are challenging the traditional mindset and are trying to break the patriarchy and male domination that exists in society.
There are few officials that patrol the streets on motorbikes, something which is usually related to males.
“When we think of bikes, we usually picture a male with a helmet riding on the bike, but our officers are changing that too. They have become iconic personalities. There is one female constable who has become so popular in the region, for her bike skills while patrolling, that girls come and take selfies with her!” stated Ms. Rangnani.
For those females who do not know how to ride a bike, the officer has provided them with scootys on which they patrol. The women beat officers patrol the streets from morning till evening and from their onwards, the males hold the reins till the next morning.
Undoubtedly, the deployment of women-beat officers in North West Delhi has proved to be a powerful initiative and is a leaping step towards women’s empowerment.
