Shadow policing proposed to tackle crime against women

To tackle crime against women, the Bangalore City police have proposed shadow policing — having policemen in plainclothes in public places to keep an eye on things.

The Bangalore City police suggested that this be included in the list of resolutions passed at the Second All-India Conference of Commissioners, which concluded here on Friday.

The resolutions were submitted to the Bureau of Police Research and Development for implementation.

The resolutions include a proposal to introduce ‘pink autos’, such as the service in Kerala.

Additional Commissioner for Traffic and Security B. Dayanand said such women friendly services, where women would drive women, would help ensure their safety.

The best ways to prevent crimes against women are holding awareness programmes at schools and colleges, reporting and more registration of crime, better investigation and successful prosecution, he said.

“We must create fear-free and women friendly atmosphere in police stations, [and have] more gender sensitive police personnel…There should be at least one police station with all women staff in every police subdivision to take care of counselling and to investigate important crimes against women,” Mr. Dayanand said.

The police official also said that obtaining a ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) from the traffic police should be made compulsory before granting permission for construction of new buildings.