An overhaul of practices could strengthen accountability while protecting police authority
Several policemen must have felt a sense of pride and confidence, after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told them to use an ‘iron hand’ in dealing with anyone who tries to mess with them. On August 14, Sawant said, “If someone is charging at them, it will not be tolerated…police will not keep quiet. I have given them full powers.” The duty of the police is to protect the people and “if people dare to come charging at you, then the time has come to show such people what policing is”, he had said during a programme at the police headquarters in the city.
Apparently, Sawant reacted to an incident at Sanguem police station where some people displayed aggressive behaviour towards policemen. No one would support such aggressive behaviour towards police, just as people do not expect such behaviour from police.
A year ago, on August 5, 2025, a written reply in the Assembly revealed that in over five years, the Goa Police Department had received 119 complaints against police personnel alleging misconduct or unprofessional behaviour, out of which the department had disposed of 51 complaints and enquiries were in progress in 68 such complaints. The nature of the complaints included allegations of harassment, rude treatment, extortion or mishandling of cases, particularly in cases of altercations between tourists and locals.
The department had said that regular briefings of police personnel were undertaken by the Director General of Police (DGP) and other supervisory officers, besides conducting behavioural training to inculcate citizen-friendly behaviour. It also stated that the department regularly undertakes measures to sensitise its personnel on important social, legal and ethical aspects such as gender sensitivity, community outreach, child rights and the handling of complaints, with the aim of fostering a people-friendly and responsive policing system.
While the department’s efforts are appreciated, they do not seem to be translating on the ground, with reports of police excesses being reported in both mainstream and social media. People believe that the actual figure of complaints against policemen could be much higher, as many do not approach higher-ups owing to a number of reasons, such as fear of retaliation and, more importantly, the ‘lack of trust’.
Recently, Goa Police came under scrutiny over allegations of brutality. In June, the department had suspended two PSIs, Gaurav Naik and Sanket Naik, attached to the Maina Curtorim police station, following the initial fact-finding enquiry report into allegations of them assaulting five youths, including a minor. Earlier, three policemen (two police constables and one head constable) were suspended in connection with the incident. In the past few months, there were a couple more such allegations against policemen.
Police brutality is not new. In the past, Goa Police heads had warned subordinate staff. In December 2018, expressing concern over incidents of alleged police brutality, the then DGP, Dr Muktesh Chander, had advised police personnel not to get inspired by Bollywood movies which were based on ‘police’. Chander had said that police personnel who lose their cool and beat people had no place in the force.
Rightly said. One can understand that at times it might be tough to manage a force which is close to 8,000 personnel. But it is high time that the department undertakes an overhaul. While various measures are being taken, the department should also consider deploying ‘decoys’, which will give a proper picture and accordingly necessary action can be taken to improve matters. No doubt, it will attract negative media publicity, but it is in the best interest of the state that such a measure be explored.
