The State government, in a recent order, has given powers of the magistrate to four additional commissioners of police – law and order, crime, traffic and administration — in an attempt to empower the police administration in the city.
Till now, only the commissioner held powers as an additional district magistrate, which forced officers across the city to come all the way to commissionerate for various cases, like preventive detention, security and those under the Karnataka Police Act.
This burden will now be shared by the four additional commissioners of police. Henceforth, the additional commissioner (law and order) can take a call on giving permission to any dharna or protest in the city. The additional commissioner (crime) is now empowered to issue safety guidelines to various establishments, including jewellery shops, ATM kiosks, banks and schools. His guidelines would now be binding and any violation will be a cognizable offence.
A long way to go
This decentralisation of powers is precious little that has come too late, say senior officers. Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Alok Kumar said at least the deputy commissioners of police should be empowered with magisterial powers. He said this will enable them to take preventive action against habitual offenders and rowdy elements in their jurisdiction. “It is only after you give them these powers can we hold them accountable for crimes in their jurisdiction,” he said adding that in Maharashtra such powers have been given to assistant commissioners of police. “Such a move would help us get a better hold over the law and order situation,” he said.
