The police have expanded their community policing initiative to all 108 police stations in the city. The initiative was launched in 2007 in collaboration with non-governmental organisation Janaagraha, and covered 18 police stations.
“The initiative is a success. Community policing is the norm in most countries today. This makes Bengaluru the first major city in India to have a city-wide Community Policing program,” said T. Suneel Kumar, police commissioner, Bengaluru, while launching the programme on Friday.
A Community Liaison Officer (CLO), an officer of the rank of an Assistant Sub Inspector, has been nominated from each of the 108 police stations. These CLOs have undergone an orientation session on Community Policing at four workshops.
“Each CLO will recruit around 30 citizen volunteers in their police station areas. These citizen volunteers, called Area Suraksha Mitras (ASMs), will support CLOs in implementing Community Policing programs to build trust between police and neighbourhood communities and, in turn, improve neighbourhood safety,” a statement from the city police said.
CLOs, beat officers and ASMs will organise four types of outreach programs: door-to-door awareness covering residences and shops, beat level awareness in public spaces, organised awareness in institutions and campaigns such as blood donation camps and marathons.
A Jana Suraksha Samiti will be constituted in each police station area comprising the Station House Officer, CLO, beat officer and all ASMs of the police station area. The Jana Suraksha Samiti will meet every month to discuss neighbourhood safety issues and plan community policing programs.
The Bengaluru City Police is publishing a list of CLOs on its website with their phone numbers and requesting citizens to sign up as Area Suraksha Mitras.
