Technology plays a vital role in the lives of people today. The application of technology in our daily lives has been consistently growing since it facilitates swift communication on the fingertips. Overuse of technology however, can lead to misuse and drastically affect the lives of people. In order to control the misuse, the state police department has decided to be more tech savvy by adopting new technology.
Realizing the importance of technology and its increased usage among the citizens, Satish Mathur- DGP(Maharashtra) has ordered police personnel to be more tech savvy and utilize technology optimally in connecting with local citizens.
While analysing the working of various police stations around the state and their modern ways of tackling the crime we came across Deccan police station. Established in the year 1985, Deccan police station is one of the busiest police stations under the jurisdiction of Pune police commissionerate.
Since its inception in 1985, the police station has been continually working towards improving its practises in tackling crime. The police station is housed in a building with ample space.
“The reception area has proper seating and drinking water facility for the people visiting the police station. The police station has a proper Muddemal room, including arms & ammunition room and a record room,” said a police officer attached to Deccan police station.
“We have separate restrooms for the policemen and women police staff. Lock up rooms are equipped with proper ventilation and a toilet, since years. The police stations have a well maintained and furnished interview room and the entire station is under CCTV surveillance,” the officer added.
The open area in the premises of the police station is always kept clean, well spruced up with proper illumination, though there is not enough space for maintaining a lawn. The police station has adequate number of firearms including non lethal weapons, tear gas shells, ammunitions, shield, helmets etc.
Technology Communications
The police station is linked with the police headquarters and other police units in the district through wireless communication systems including telephone connection.
- CCTV system have been installed to monitor the reception area, lock up and interview room.
- Adequate number of computers with internet facility, printers, copying machines, fax machine etc. is available and all the police officers and policemen have smart telephones for proper communication.
3 Private establishments in the jurisdiction of police station are being encouraged from time to time in order to install CCTV systems and as a result a large number of such establishments have the CCTV systems installed in their premises.
- Policemen and officers use digital means of communication such as Email, WhatsApp etc.
Mobility
The Deccan police station has adequate numbers of vehicles that helps them in getting into action and reach the crime spot immediately. All the vehicles available have wireless connectivity and are GPS enabled with the police control room and help in getting all the details about the vehicle position. The vehicles have requisite articles/equipment to meet its operational requirements.
Community Relations
1). A dedicated team comprising of an officer and a bunch of policemen are engaged in various police/security related activities. The team engages school and college students in lectures, workshops, competitions/ contests organized on various topics/ subjects. Various community outreach programmes are regularly conducted to improve communal harmony.
2). The meetings are regularly organized in slum areas addressing their security concerns. Meetings with the establishments that employ large number of women employees are conducted regularly to sensitize women and girls about the security issues and ensures that there is no sexual harassment at work places.
4). Mohalla committee and peace committee meetings are organized regularly.
5). Mobdrills and raids are conducted highlighting various security issues.
Police Behaviour
1). All police officers and men working at Deccan police station are trained in soft skills.
2). They are polite, courteous, empathetic and sincere in approach to the citizens visiting police stations.
3). Supreme court direction in respect of arrest of a person is compulsorily followed.
4). Provisions of section 41 regarding arrests is followed.
5). Special care is being taken in dealing with women at police stations.
6). Police officers and men are equipped with modern and scientific temperaments.
7). Police officers and men are smartly turned out and they carry pride in public places.
Investigations
1) Every crime is registered as per law and facts of the case.
2) Applications are accepted without any hesitation.
3) Burking or minimization of a case is avoided strictly.
4) Police persons reach the crime scene in case of minimization.
5) Complainants are not subjected to embarrassment with any awkward question.
6) Illiterate complainants not having adequate knowledge of law are advised properly.
7) Acknowledgement of complaints received and FIR copy is promptly handed over to complainants.
8) Investigations and enquiries are expeditiously carried out.
9) Staff handling investigations is well trained.
10) They try to complete the investigation work on time and stay in communication with the complainants.
11) Women complainants are attended by the woman police officer/constable.
12) Investigations are carried out in a scientific manner.
13) The Muddemal seized is sent without wasting time to Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL).
14) There is a constant follow up with medical facilities for Injury certificates/PM reports.
The police station has a separate dedicated staff for investigating cases. All the police officers and men assigned with the task are trained in law and a panel of lawyers are always summoned to assist the Investigation Officers.
Emergency Response
Systems (ERS)
1) The police station has information in detail about all the vital installations in the jurisdiction and vulnerability of vital installations like type of threat, security arrangements, VIP security management audit etc. including data on important religious places and the congregations.
2) Data on education institutes, banks, commercial establishments, historical places, rivers, flood prone areas, communally sensitive areas are maintained properly.
3) Updates on internal security scheme, flood control schemes, disaster management schemes, communal riot schemes, anti–terrorist attack SOP, anti hijacking SOP are maintained regularly.
4) The police station has co-ordination with other departments such as PWD, revenue, fire brigade, industry, irrigation etc.
5) Co-ordination meetings are held regularly at due intervals. Co-ordination with the neighbouring police stations is also held regularly.
Traffic Management
1) The police station maintains information related to accident prone areas in its jurisdiction.
2) Information about the hospital phone numbers etc. is maintained and information about the ambulance is available on the records.
3) Traffic congestion points are under the observation of cameras and traffic officials in the jurisdiction of police station.
2) Police stations maintain information about engineers who are responsible for maintenance of the roads in its jurisdiction.
3) Deployment of traffic cops is maintained by the Traffic Division for the Traffic issues.
Record Maintenance
1) Computerised records of accused wanted and absconders, accused arrested by police station in the last 20 years, convicted criminals, known criminals, history sheeters, accused who are avoiding the court attendance are well maintained.
2) Sorting of the old records to be destroyed as per procedure laid down is in progress.
3) The record rooms have proper storage so that the record is not destroyed by termites or rodents.
4) The records are well maintained as per provisions in police manual.
