Meaningful Decision

The decision of the administration to depute senior police officers of the ranks between DIGs and SsP as individual Mentors of all 257 police stations across J&K is a meaningful step to improve the functioning of the police in the Union Territory. This decision has come to fore as the part of recommendations made at the DGPs/IGPs Conference in which a selected and need-based approach was stressed for adoption of Police Station on the ground that it is essential to ensure optimal utilization of senior officers’ experience and leadership in realizing the goal of Viksit Bharat-2047.  What is significant in this whole gamut is that the duties assigned to the officers of the aforesaid ranks have been stipulated in black and white and there is no confusion in this regard.  These officers will focus on personal ethics, values and ethos of Jammu and Kashmir Police in public service and enhance citizen-centric policing and community outreach besides tutoring on the maintenance of various crime and other records. The officers will review existing digital tools available as a part of CCTNS/ICJS and enhanced adoption of current and futuristic technologies like e-beat, role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), etc. There are several duties assigned to these officers to make police work more efficiently and in a public-friendly the officers shall restrict themselves to only referred charter of duties and not interfere with routine work of Police Stations like crime related matters and supervision thereof, matters which are in administrative and financial control of District Police Office (DPO), operational matters and grievance redressal especially in service matters which could be addressed at DPO/RPHQ/ZPHQ level. The list of the officers is out and soon the people will feel the difference on ground in the shape of better facilities and good behaviour in the police stations as this is essential for winning the trust of the people in Jammu and Kashmir Police. There is another vital aspect of this move that would be a considerable check on corruption, which is an archaic problem. This new set-up will rectify the issue by default as the presence of mentors in police stations will act as a natural check without any additional arrangement.   All said and done, the measure to appoint Mentors in Police Stations across J&K is a very positive and practical step. This decision possessed potential to curb many bad practices existing in these stations meant for public service as it will enhance accountability and transparency, which form the basis for an ideal system as far as public service is concerned.  This initiative has all the ingredients to make police stations more efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly in J&K.