A visit to the women’s cells or the family courts in the city may come across as depressing for many people, but for the Delhi Police officers dealing with the estranged couples, it is an “opportunity”.
Interacting with several separating couples on a daily basis, the officers know what “breaks” families.
Learning process
“We learn from these experiences. So, when we go back to our homes, we know what could hurt our spouses and what not to say to our in-laws,” says Varsha Sharma, an IPS officer and the DCP of SPUWAC, Delhi Police’s special unit for women and children.
Not surprisingly then, police officers at SPUWAC and other women’s cells in the city come across as warmer than their counterparts in most other police departments.
Most often they do not wear police uniforms and talk to estranged couples in a very homely tone.
“We see families breaking right in front of our eyes, children having to let go of one parent and couples crying for each other after divorce. If I come across as a police officer to the couples I am counselling, they will not open up their hearts to me. I need to know the couples’ problems before I help them overcome it,” says Anuradha Chhabra, an inspector who has been counselling couples for more than 15 years.
It is not an easy job for these officers as they frequently face the wrath of angry and frustrated couples during counselling.
They are often suspected by one partner of having a softer corner for their other partner, thus requiring the counsellors to put in special efforts to come across as unbiased.
A tough job
There are times when these officers would have helped a couple with differences reconcile, but invite abuse during the follow-up process.
As per rules, any reconciliation is required to be followed up with regular phone calls to the couples to see how their marriage is progressing.
“In many cases, couples get along well with each other after our counselling. So, when we call them to enquire if all is well, they get miffed. Some abuse us and others blame us for trying to interfere in their personal lives, but it is our job,” says an officer.
We see families breaking right in front of our
eyes, children having to let go of one parent and couples crying for each other after divorce
Anuradha Chhabra,Delhi Police officer
and counsellor
