'I'm interested in results'

Arup Patnaik, Mumbai's new police commissioner tells Poornima Swaminathan why his experience of being on the streets and dealing with the law makes him confident of proving my mettle

Arup Patnaik,u00a0Mumbai's new police commissioner tells Poornima Swaminathan why his experience of being on the streets and dealing with the law makes him "confident of proving my mettle"

Arup Patnaik, who took over as Mumbai Police Commissioner after D Sivanandhan retired on March 1, says he believes in one-man command at the top, which, at the moment, involves him and no one else. Pics/Bipin Kokate and Sameer Markande

A day after Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Arup Patnaik took charge as Mumbai Police Commissioner, he did what he is best known for: leading from the front.

In the early hours of March 1, news spread about communal tension in Sewri. Patnaik, known to be a hands-on policeman, went to the area, and with the help of platoons from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), controlled the unruly mob.

His message was clear: people better behave themselves, because he means business. An officer from the 1979 batch, Patnaik promises to bring about practical changes in the force.

An interview:

What are your plans for the police force?
I will concentrate on core policing. The aim should be to help the common man who comes to the police station with a grievance. My officers have been briefed to act on every complaint, and not dismiss any case as petty. Help will be extended at all police stations to citizens who come in with problems and complaints.

What has been your single point instruction to juniors?
I have asked them to go back to the basics, and take action. Of course, procedures will be followed, but I'm interested in results. I don't want a policeman to read out circulars and instructions. Instead, he should do his job -- that of policing.

In the larger context of being terror-sensitised, I felt the basic issue of policing was ineffective. A lot of manpower was being utilised in bandobast during VVIP visits to the city. Of course, the safety of a VVIP is important, but basics cannot be neglected.

How do you intend to take stock of the Mumbai underworld, which is rearing its head again?
We have successfully managed to wipe out the underworld. from its roots. I do not want to glamourise gangsters. For us, they are criminals and will be dealt with accordingly. They are not larger-than-life personalities.

What about tainted and controversial officers who have dented the morale of the force?
It is wrong to say that the morale of the force is dented. If one looks around, there are black sheep in every profession. That does not mean everybody is bad. Similarly, there are a few officers who have brought shame to the department, but they are exceptions.

How well equipped is the force to tackle terror threats?
After the November 2008 terror attacks, the police department procured up-to-date armoury and technology to combat terror. There is also better coordination and intelligence gathering. All systems are in place; some of it just requires a little tweaking, and better implementation.

How do you plan to improve policing at the micro level?
Since I've instructed my force to get back to basic policing, we will gain the confidence of the public. One should understand that only a person in distress will visit a police station. And it is our duty to help them out.
We welcome public participation and want to be accountable to the people. We welcome constructive criticism and will rectify our ways to serve people better.

There is groupism and lobbying among the top brass of the Mumbai police. How do you intend to bridge the gap between camps?
There is no question of bridging the gap. I believe in one-man command, and currently, I head the force and will control and direct the department. There is no question of two bosses leading the force. The message is clear, and if at all there are differences between officers, I will ensure they are ironed out.

The men Patnaik is wary of
One of the first personal items that found its way into Patnaik's cabin was a frame containing an observation made by German General Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord in Truppenf hrung, 1933, on the risks of stupidity. It reads: "I divide my officers into four classes; the clever, the lazy, the industrious, and the stupid. Each officer possesses at least two of these qualities. Those who are clever and industrious are fitted for the highest staff appointments. Use can be made of those who are stupid and lazy. The man who is clever and lazy however is for the very highest command; he has the temperament and nerves to deal with all situations. But whoever is stupid and industrious is a menace and must be removed immediately."

"The last group is dangerous and should be weeded out immediately," says Patnaik, flashing his dimpled smile.
Patnaik is known for having hands-on experience in dealing with riot situations and the underworld. Before taking over as the police chief, he was posted as Additional Director General (State Highways). He has also served with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), was Joint Commissioner for law and order, was posted at the SRPF, and was Deputy Commissioner of police in the western suburbs.