Shri Loknath Behra, IPS, State Police Chief, Kerala
Dr. B. Sandhya, IPS, ADGP, Director, Kerala Police Academy
Shri. Anup Kuruvilla John, D.I.G, Training,
Dear Police Officers, Friends in the Media,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
I am very happy to inaugurate the Police Academy Day Celebrations of this year. I am informed that ever since this Academy came into being in 2004, this day, that is, the 29th of May has been celebrated as Academy Day, with various activities including competitions.
Let me at the outset, compliment the leadership of the Academy for extending training facilities to the Police Force and to Forces other than the Police. With a capacity to train over 1000 persons at any given point of time, this Academy has been meticulously preparing law enforcers to be Soft in Temperament and Firm in Action.
I also express my full faith in the efficiency of Kerala Police, be it in maintaining law and order, or in the speedy investigations or in keeping updated with the latest technology or in other essential areas of service. In fact, the involvement of the Police has been widening towards more and more areas of our life and it is difficult to see the Police as only a law enforcing agency.
I am happy to note that the Kerala Police Academy [KEPA] undertakes a variety of training programmes catering to the requirements at various levels in the Police department. The institution imparts basic training to all categories in the police department. The training of the Police Dogs and Dog handlers is undertaken at the State Dog Training School at KEPA. Also, other departments like Kerala Motor Vehicle Department, Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, Forest Department, Excise Department also avail the services of the KEPA in imparting basic training to their recruits at various levels. The Academy also offers capsule courses in specialized topics like Stress Management, Soft Skill development, Computer skills, Driving and Swimming to the recruits whose basic training is undertaken at the sub-centers of the Academy. The cadets from the police departments of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry also undergo training in the Academy.
Apart from the basic training, KEPA also conducts various in-service training programmes to the officers and men in the department in consultation and support from Institute of Management in Government (IMG), Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D), National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), Data Security Council of India (DSCI), Wild Life Crime Control Bureau etc.. KEPA also organizes training programmes in Gender awareness, Trauma Care, Community Policing, Anti Human Trafficking etc in consultation with various NGOs and other stakeholders including the department and the public. The institution also offers familiarisation and skill up-gradation courses to other departments like Customs & Central Excise, Motor Vehicles Department etc. The end objective is to upgrade the Kerala Police Academy as a Centre of Excellence in Police Research.
As we all know, Rule of Law is what governs every truly civilized nation and the essence of Rule of Law is not just the maintenance of law and order. It is through the Rule of Law that we promote the human rights of our citizensand safeguard their rights which could be civil, political, cultural social, economic etc. In short, what the Police does in our society is a duty entrusted to them by our Constitution which clearly envisages an impartial way of functioning.
The job of the Police is very sensitive; they must ensure the safety and security of the citizens with immaculate care and caution. A minor slip in the planning or execution of a Policing activity could spell trouble and invite scathing criticism from society. Sadly, many of the instances of good performance by the Police remain unnoticed while a minor issue invites brickbats, even when a word of appreciation is well deserved.
In fact, we have been witnessing some isolated incidents of the Police being caught on the wrong foot in our State. Though the Government and society expect the Police to treat people with respect, to behave decently to them and to uphold justice, a section of the Police fail to achieve these goals. Lawhas empowered the Police with several powers to prevent and control crimes including terrorism. But, these powers are to be exercised with a strong sense of responsibility, since the image of the Police is in a way, the image of the Government too.
This also calls for the development of novel concepts and strategies in keeping with the trends in society. Communicating to society has now become increasingly common and essential in policing activities, especially in the context of the variety in crimes and law and order issues. Cyber and POCSO crimes are easy examples. With people engaging in cyber crimes without proper knowledge of the implication of their careless deeds, the Law enforcers have to find a strategy to reduce such crimes by informing and convincing society about these matters.
We have also been witnessing an increase in the crimes against women and children. It is disturbing to note that the rate of acquittal in cases registered under POCSO Act was also on the increase, which could point an accusing finger at the Police for not using the strongest provisions while registering cases. In these times of social media and open expression of opinions, we also see the Police being accused of prejudice towards racial groups, women, youth, trans-genders etc., raising the doubts about whether the Police are unaware of changing times and social attitudes. We cannot forget an instance where a youth was apprehended and manhandled because his hair style caused suspicion of involvement in criminal activities.
The role of the Police as a true friend and guide of society has to be reinforced in the minds of the people through outreach programmes. Unfortunately, what people get as impressions about the Police is often distorted, exaggerated and even fictionalized by the media, especially cinema. It is sad to note that our mainstream cinema portrays policemen as being either comical or corrupt and rarely efficient. This situation has to change and the effort has to come from the Police Force itself through correction of such wrong ideas.
As a person hailing from the Judiciary, I must mention some issues which often put the Police to inconvenience. Delay in investigation is one issue that undermines the credibility of the Police Force. This delay tends to defeat the very purpose of the penal law and erodes people's faith in the criminal justice system. When an investigation agency is accused of apathy and inaction in registering the case and pursuing it in right earnest, we see the failure of a system.
People are now aware of the sanctity of the First Information Report, which is mandatory under the Section 154 of the Penal Code, if it is noted that a cognizable offense has been committed. When citizens seek the copy of such reports, it often comes to light that proper vigilance was not employed in drafting the report. This also weakens the credibility of our system.
It is to avoid such problems that the directions regarding the seven day time limit for conducting the preliminary inquiry, meticulous reflection of cognizable offences in the General Diary or Station Diary etc., were made mandatory. Let us not forget that the time is not far away when these entries will be made digitally for ensuring transparency.
The pivotal role of Investigating Officer is to render all possible assistance and facilitate the Prosecutor. The Investigating Officer should realize that his duty does not end when the investigation has been completed but he is also obligated to assist the Prosecutor during the conduct of the cases in the Courts. On commencement of trial proceedings, the I.O should ensure that the summons are procured well in advance and served in time.
One of the problems which is often faced in cases of prosecution is that the witnesses are won over by the accused. This is done either through threats or allurements. To avert such a situation, the investigating officer must maintain contact with witnesses throughout, and make sure that they give their testimony truthfully.
Conducting prosecution is a joint responsibility of the police and prosecutors. Hence, prosecutors are not only responsible for advocating on behalf of the state at trial, they shall also guide the investigating officers during investigation of the cases. Besides, coordination with Police officials and jail authorities is mandatory for effective implementation of the objective of the NLSA Act.
We should also realize that our internal security and national security are closely linked. National security can be ensured only through a peaceful and stable society and here, the role of police is vital. The Police also needs training in handling the situation during times of disaster. Today's democracy also requires Predictive and Intelligence-led policing, based on the analysis of data from various sources so that they can be used to anticipate and prevent crimes or to prepare to respond to future crimes. All these measures would be helpful because it has been proved that good policing also quickens the pace of progress of a land.
Being a police officer is certainly not an easy job.Every day, when we the common people experience a virtuous and protected quality of life, we remember the sacrifice and devotion of each of you that goes behind providing such quality of life to each citizen. More so, we are always indebted to you for the stupendous aid that your Institution provides in crucial times like natural calamities and internal disturbances for saving our brothers and sisters across the length and breadth of our country. We may not be paying respect to you all in a ceremonial way on a daily basis but certainly behind each heartbeat of ours their lay thousands of thanks and salutes to personalities like you who constitute our country’s proud Police force.
I sincerely hope that the Kerala Police Academy would lay emphasis on modernizing and internationalizing its training facilities and methods so that Kerala Police rises to a global level of excellence.
I greet all the Police personnel and family members who have graced this occasion and wish them success in life.
I also compliment the organizers for conducting this meeting in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
