IPS official seeks panel to look into policewomen's grievances

A senior IPS official has made key recommendations to the director general of police's office on improving the working conditions of policewomen.

A senior IPS official has made key recommendations to the director general of police's office on improving the working conditions of policewomen.

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Inspector general of police Sobha Othakar, who is also the head of the Prevention of Atrocities against Women (PAW), confirmed that she recently sent the draft proposal to DGP office.

Othakar has suggested the formation of a committee at all the 10 commissionerates and 35 district police centres that would look into the grievances of policewomen.

"The committee would consist of five or six officials and would be headed by an official of the rank assistant commissioner of police/deputy superintendent of police. The committee should compulsorily have more than 50% of women officials to make it easier for the policewomen to discuss their problems," the draft proposal said.

A senior woman IPS officer, who did not wish to be quoted, said there is an imbalance in the ratio of women to men in the police force. "In the 40,000 strong Mumbai police, there are only 6,000 policewomen," she said.

There have been instances when women constables and junior officials have been victimised by their male counterparts but no complaints have been registered as they are hesitant to speak out, she said.

"When a complaint is received, a copy would go to the unit commandant and the second would be sent to PAW. After the inquiry, a unit commandant would take action," she said.