Police take small steps for a safer city

Complaints made by women to become a priority that will be handled by deputy commissioners, 4,000 complaint boxes across the city, phone numbers of policewomen to be displayed outside police stations, Rahul Mahajani reports.

Complaints made by women to become a priority that will be handled by deputy commissioners, 4,000 complaint boxes across the city, phone numbers of policewomen to be displayed outside police stations: these are some of the measures Mumbai police are taking to tackle crimes against women after the nationwide outcry for a safer country.

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Capsule courses on gender sensitisation are already underway in all the five regions of the Mumbai police as well at the headquarter level. “This is being done to make officers more sensitive towards women’s problems when they approach them for help,” said Mumbai police commissioner Satyapal Singh.

According to the new directions, all police stations have been asked to immediately report cases of crimes against women to respective zonal deputy commissioners of police (DCPs), who will supervise investigations personally.

“The entire force has been asked, in writing, to be sensitive and take prompt cognisance of cases of crimes against women,” said Sadanand Date, joint commissioner of police (law and order).

All police stations with staff below 150 people will have a minimum of five women police constables/officers. At stations with more than 150 staff, there will 10 policewomen.

The cell phone numbers of these policewomen will be displayed outside their respective police stations. This will be strictly followed in Muslim-dominated areas and slums, where women generally avoid going to police stations.

The Mumbai police is also preparing a list of the criminals with a record of crimes against women.

Police have been holding meetings for women at police stations along with mahila mandals to create awareness about women’s rights. The police will also revive the mahila dashata committee to help women victims.

The directive states that if any student is found involved in cases of crimes against women, the police should immediately alert his parents and educational institution.

Apart from special plain-clothes squads in the city, counselling centres have been set up at Bandra, MIDC Andheri, Ghatkopar, Dadar and Chembur to help victims of various forms of violence.