Top brass asks police stations to give details on those addicted to tobacco, alcohol to start a de-addiction drive; no info provided so far
Senior officers and personnel at the launch of Tobacco-free Mumbai Police last year. File pic
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Keen to help their staff and subordinates, top officers of the police department recently wrote to all police stations and units, seeking to know how many personnel are addicted to tobacco and alcohol. The idea behind the move is to launch an effective de-addiction scheme for those who can’t kick the butt and bottle.
However, unaware of their bosses’ intention, none of the police station or unit has so far provided the information, possibly fearing action.
An officer from the south region said that around a week ago all additional commissioners and deputy commissioners of the city police were requested by the Police Welfare Cell from the headquarters to prepare a list of all the staffers and officers at all police stations, units, branches and cells, who are addicted to tobacco and alcohol. The message was conveyed to the lower level in the department, but the purpose was not mentioned.
Pertinent purpose
“Unaware of the aim behind the initiative and fearing action for indiscipline from seniors, no data was dispensed… the department concerned didn’t receive any information on tobacco and alcohol addicts,” a senior officer told mid-day.
The officer added that the initiative is to identify the number of addicts in the force so that a proper plan of organising de-addiction camps can be prepared with the help of NGOs.
“We want as many addicted personnel to benefit from this as possible; the de-addiction scheme should be an effective and result-yielding one. Hence, identifying such policemen is important,” said Ashwini Sanap, deputy commissioner of police, headquarters 2.
(Un)ideal image
Seeing the reluctance of police units in furnishing this information, the department is planning to issue a reminder soon with a mention of the purpose behind the initiative.
Many in the police department believe that a tobacco-chewing or alcoholic cop doesn’t make an idle policeman. The addictions not only compromise the force’s good image, but also contribute to serious adverse effects on personnel’s health, ultimately affecting their work performance.
Last May, the Cancer Aid Patient Association, in collaboration with the city police, had organised a programme ‘Tobacco Free Mumbai Police’. The NGO, in a study, had observed that occupational stress was the key reason behind tobacco consumption among police personnel.
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