City's first woman Commissioner of Police Meeran Chadha Borwankar visits MiD DAY office and shares her views on the security in the city, changing profile of the police force and the need to sensitise the cops towards increasing crimes against women
City's first woman Commissioner of Police Meeran Chadha Borwankar visits MiD DAY office and shares her views on the security in the city, changing profile of the police force and the need to sensitise the cops towards increasing crimes against women
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| Talking tough: Commissioner of Police Meeran Chadha Borwankar discusses several issues with reporters at the MiD DAY office. Pics/Jignesh Mistry |
Does the threat of terror attacks still persist?
If we read the minds of terrorists, we understand that they not only have particular targets like Chabad House, Osho Ashram or Jewish Synagogue, they want also want to create panic. Crowded places like malls are also possible targets of terrorists and hence we are alert there too. Infact the whole city needs to be on alert.
How do you plan to crackdown on sleeper modules of terrorists' organisations?
When I was Joint Commissioner of Mumbai Crime Branch, we had found out that many sleeper cells are present in Pune, Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. We have specially trained two policemen from each police station.
Are you making efforts to improve intelligence gathering?
In our monthly conferences, we keep on imagining different scenarios. Having a special cell or creating an anti-terrorism cell is not enough. We have to also make all police stations aware about collecting intelligence. All the staff is being managed by the Maharashtra Intelligence Academy.
Is there a shortage of staff?
We need to invest in the criminal justice system. Also, we need to change the 'chalta hain' attitude, pay our taxes regularly so that we get more cops, judges and prosecutors. According to international standards, there should be 1 constable for 250 citizens but we have 1 for 653. Eight thousand policemen are not enough for a population of 55 lakh. A police chowky has only one constable posted. That's bad policy.
Are establishments still reluctant to follow security measures?
Hotels and malls have responded well but where there is lack of revenue, people are not responding.
Do mock drills help us in any way?
We are trying to improvise our response time after every mock drill. We are keeping a space between two drills so that the policemen do not relax during the drill.
Are women comfortable going to police station alone?
I admit that my staff is not fully sensitised. With funds coming from the Women's Commission, a seminar for women, police and lawyers has been organised. It's a sensitisation programme, which would prove useful to us.
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Any efforts to improve image of the police?
I think image is a wrong word to use. A lot of changes have taken place. Many people are coming ahead to help us for giving training on soft skills. Moreover, now we have 10 percent women police staff.
Is the profile of the police changing?
Yes, today's recruits are mostly graduates and they are also pursuing their studies further. We are also starting two gymnasiums keeping in mind the fitness of our officers.
What is the status of the CCTNS project of making police stations paperless?
It is a very ambitious project. Planned funds of Rs 200 crores every year is being pumped in. Accountability of police officers will increase and also monitoring will improve.
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