Trichy Police Shifting Policing Paradigms (Submitted by- Mithun K 12UTA16) CASE PERSONALITIES: J.K.

Tripathy- Commissioner of Police, Trichy

CASE FACTS: The population of the city is twenty four lakhs comprising of mix of one-third Hindus, one-third Muslims and one-third Christians. According to global experience of policing, the number of cops required for the population is 7000 and in developed countries it is 5000. The crime rate was reduced by 40 percent by 260 constables out of 2600 in total. In 1999, an IPS officer of 1985 batch, J.K.Tripathy took over as commissioner of police in Trichy. The security during the BJP leaders visit was taken care by 50 policemen. On an average, only 3 percent of the population engages in criminal activities. Constables were called beat officers and groups of 4 were made responsible for a locality. Sixty localities or groups were created. Out of 4 persons in a beat, one had to present all times. Police performance in crime detection: 78%-1999, 86%-2000, 95%-2004, 90%-2005. Recovery of stolen properties: 41%-1999, 74%-2000, 90%-2005, 87%-2005.

SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths: The quality of information given by the constables to Tripathy. Commitment of the constables Selection of constables by personal screening. Seeking ideas from constables and involving them in decision making Regular interaction between SHO and beat constables The beat system introduced by Tripathy Weekly meetings of beat officers with the community

Weakness: General mindset of people towards the police department. Resistance from Station House Officers. Lack of public support for the police department in the initial stages. Bribes taken by the municipality staff.

Opportunities: To implement Trichy experiment in other cities across the state and country as well.

Threats: Fear of Terrorist attacks. The timespan available for Tripathy in Trichy.

Hook Questions: What can the police department do further to change the attitude of people towards the police? What are the steps to be taken by the police department to keep the policy effective and consistent? What are the other possible ways to curb corruption?

MAJOR ISSUES: mindsets of civilians towards police Lack of public support Even for the basic needs of community people need to bribe to get the work done ( e.g., EB , Water Connections) Shirking to be avoided

ANALYSE THE ISSUES: Absence of communal disturbance and improvement in police performance. Creating ownership among the constables. This was done by allowing them to give ideas and make decisions regarding the beat by themselves in order to avoid centralization and institutionalization. Avoiding Shirking and Corruption. Transparency should be ensured in the system to avoid dilution. Public could contact the police at any time of the day.

SUGGESTIONS: To build a sustainable model, shift in the mindset of the community at large is essential. To build trust among the community To make employees deeply involve in decision making.

CASE TRIANGLE Context Focus on local problems

Concept Beat officer system (Work by Shift of 4)

Connectivity Developing good relations with the community.

Reference: http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=404191&catid=44 24 March 2012

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MONDAY, JULY 26, 2010