Mumbai : Waking up to the recent incidents of police brutality and misbehavior with people, Mumbai Police Commissioner Ahmed Javed recently issued a circular warning police officers against such acts.
The notice, issued on November 11, says that there have been recent reports of police personnel behaving in an objectionable manner and abusing their power especially in public areas and this has led to the whole of the department being embarrassed.
“Recent times have seen police officers beat up people in a petty argument and also misbehave with women. These incidents have happened in the premises of a police station and sometimes outside too. The image of Mumbai Police is bring ruined due to the acts of few policemen, to stop such cases, the notification was issued,” said a senior officer.
In September this year, a woman devotee was assaulted by two lady constables on duty. She was trying to enter the VIP queue of the Lalbagh Ganpati pandal when the constables slapped and beat her up. The complainant also alleged that the constables took her to the Kalachowkie police station and assaulted her parents too at the station.
The two constables attached to the Local Arms Division were then suspended and a departmental inquiry ordered against them.
“Senior officers in the Zone and police station should create awareness about such acts and sensitise officers about behaving patiently and appropriately with members of the public,” states the notification. It also goes on to say that while in some instances members of the public may behave in a provocative manner or in an irresponsible manner, the officers should realise their position and maintain calm and peace.
The notification also informs that in addition to the policemen who indulge in unprofessional conduct their seniors will also be taken to task. “The reporting officer of the policemen who behave in such a manner or the senior at the station or zonal level will also be held responsible for the said act. This is so that policemen refrain from behaving inappropriately,” said the officer.
By way of the notification, strict action will be taken against those police who violate the law and behave in an unprofessional manner. “Depending on the nature of the offence, the punishment will be decided accordingly,” said the officer.
