There is need for a major transformation so that the citizens get well-mannered policemen
How often have you seen the police behave politely? Rarely, right? The word ‘police’ often brings to mind arrogance. Police officers are part of the same society, but what sets them apart is their uniform and the power it carries. Goa police have introduced a standard script for the traffic police in an attempt to build their image with a focus on soft skills and etiquette. This should also be made applicable to police stations and other police units in the state.
The obvious question here is: Will this initiative make any difference to police behaviour? Irrespective of this, the effort made by senior police officials to bring in some change must be appreciated. People will welcome this move, as it is they who frequently interact with the police during law enforcement, processions, victory rallies and protests.
Often, on social media platforms, we see posts on confrontations between the police and the public, with exchanges of inappropriate language. Use of abusive language is unacceptable, whether by the public or the police, who belong to a disciplined force.
The recent incident in Porvorim during the shifting of the Dev Khapreshwar idol was an eye-opener. The situation was heated, and in that circumstance, police caught one person, who allegedly hurled abuses against the police, and retaliated in the same vein. The video of the incident went viral. A senior police officer, in the heat of argument, could be heard verbally abusing the person. No one has the right to abuse or mistreat anyone. Wearing a uniform doesn’t justify responding to wrongdoing with another wrong.
An officer using abusive language makes a lot of difference. Police are professionally trained to maintain law and order, manage crowds and mobs, and control agitations, but at times, they too lose their cool. Over the past few years, the image of police has taken a beating due to a number of reasons such as allegations of corruption, mistreatment, favouritism and so on. However, it would be unfair not to acknowledge the dedication of the hard-working and sincere officers in the police force. Today, the common man blames police for any reason, some of which, at times, the police are not even responsible for. This is because of the dent in the image of Goa police.
Citizens will agree that it will definitely take a long time to change this image. To put things in order, the police department will have to take a very strict stance in dealing with such kinds of behaviour by its officials and personnel.
Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar has said that it is important to keep in mind what to speak. In this regard, a standard script has been prepared, and the policemen will have to follow it. He also said that it is part of the department’s image-building exercise.
It will not be right to say that people don’t know how to behave…apparently everyone knows. But when it comes to police behaviour, it seems to be a bit different, probably owing to the reason ‘the uniform and the power it brings with it’. No one deserves to be disrespected. The attempt made by the Goa Police Department should not stop. It should be a daily affair and the focus should be on soft skills and etiquette.
