As part of a community outreach initiative, Commissioner of Police J.K. Tripathy has introduced the concept of ‘Beat Officers' in Chennai. The move is expected to enhance the visibility of police to bring them closer to people.
According to police sources, the 90 police station limits in the city have been grouped under 460 pockets. Each pocket would have a ‘Beat Officer' in the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police and a few other police personnel. The team would patrol their jurisdiction and be in touch with the residents, traders, students and others.
“We have drawn strength from the respective police stations. Beat Officers will work on three shifts and remain accessible to people round the clock. The idea is to take policing out of police stations and get closer to the people,” Mr. Tripathy said.
Soon after the system was launched, about 1,000 police personnel started patrolling the streets across the city.
“This will be in addition to the patrolling on motorcycles by personnel of the Yellow and Blue Brigades. The constant acquaintance will enhance the confidence of people in the locality to approach the police for any assistance or information,” he said.
The ‘Beat Officers' project was evolved and implemented by Mr. Tripathy in Tiruchi when he was the Police Commissioner there about a decade ago. Besides being recognised with an award by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Washington, he received the Prime Minister's Medal for Excellence in Public Service, police sources said.
