‘My Police Station’ project launched, focus on making stations people-friendly
KERALA Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Friday said police stations should be places where people feel safe and receive help and protection, rather than places they fear.
Inaugurating the state-level launch of the Kerala Police’s ‘My Police Station’ project at Peroorkada police station here, Satheesan said the long-standing perception of the police as a source of fear among people should change, and people should develop confidence that the police are their friends and helpers.
“At the same time, criminals should fear that the police will identify them and bring them before the law if they commit crimes,” he said.
He said police personnel should treat everyone visiting a station, including elderly people, women and children, with kindness and respect.
A person coming to file a complaint should have the confidence that justice would be available at the police station, he said.
The ‘My Police Station’ project puts forward a modern concept of a people-friendly police system, Satheesan said.
He said changes in police investigation methods and approaches were necessary in view of the changing nature of crimes.
With criminals using technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics, the police force should also be equipped to deal with such threats, he said.
Satheesan said modern technology should be used to create a more professional and efficient police force while ensuring that police personnel maintained a friendly approach towards the public.
He expressed hope that the ‘My Police Station’ project would help achieve both these objectives.
Referring to the state’s fight against drugs, Satheesan said the Kerala Police’s efforts to save the younger generation from drug abuse should become a model for the country and the world.
He also released the official logo of the ‘My Police Station’ project.
State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, who presided over the function, said the project was an unforgettable milestone in the history of the Kerala Police.
He said instructions had been issued to expedite the removal of unused vehicles lying on police station premises for years and to deposit the amount received from them in the treasury.
For the first time in the state’s history, women were being appointed as Station House Officers in 63 police stations, he said.
Later, in a Facebook post, Chennithala said that the My Police Station project aims to transform police stations into people-friendly centres where ordinary citizens can feel proud to call them their own.
“We aim to transform police stations into centres for public service completely,” he said.
He said the project would ensure that citizens’ dignity was fully respected and that uncivilised practices, such as third-degree methods, were eliminated.
The project would create a people-friendly environment where women, children and senior citizens could rely equally on police stations, he said.
Chennithala said the changes would help strengthen and professionalise the Kerala Police while ensuring public trust and a sense of security.
Health Minister K Muraleedharan said the new changes would further strengthen the police force.
