This festive season, the number of patrolling women constables in the fleet of police control room (PCR) vans is all set to double with the unit inducting a fresh batch of 254 female constables. The orientation programme for these women began on Monday.
As per the latest available figures, there are 78 female constables engaged in the central control room or performing field duties.
Senior police officers say the move is in line with their policy of ensuring greater participation for women in public life adding that given that PCR is the backbone of policing in the Capital, this will boost their presence on the streets.
These women personnel are pass outs from the batch of constables who recently completed their training at the Delhi Police’s training college and were inducted into PCR at the beginning of this month, said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (PCR Training) Anita Roy.
“Usually, it’s a PCR vehicle, which is the first respondent whenever a call is made by someone in distress. By having more women in these vehicles which are patrolling every part of the city round-the-clock, our endeavour is to ensure that other women have greater assurance when they are out of their homes,” said Ms. Roy.
She added that while the deployment lists would be prepared once the orientation in complete, it would be safe to say the number of women PCR personnel visible on the streets would go up by nearly twice the existing number.
On whether any key areas have been marked where the women cops would serve once they complete PCR training, Ms. Roy said there would be strategic deployment and focus would be on areas where the movement of women is more.
Since December 16 gang rape the demand of having more women in the city’s police force has been gathering momentum. In August, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung had said that the number of women police personnel in Delhi Police PCR vans will soon be increased to 500.
By having more women in PCR vans, which are patrolling every part of the city round-the-clock, our endeavour is to ensure that other women have greater assurance when they are out of their homes
