Hubby and I just got back from a fortnight of traveling 2 nights ago, delayed flight and all. Got home, unloaded the bags, hubby went off to park the car while my mother-in-law and I struggled with wheeling heavy suitcases in through the gate to the front door. As I head to the gate to get another suitcase 2 uniformed policemen on night patrol stopped and very politely asked if there was a problem. They hadn’t seen the luggage and seeing the gate open, they were naturally curious about people up so late. We explained we were just back from the airport and satisfied, they carried on with their night patrol stopping at the next house to talk to a private security guard.
We were impressed with the concern and with the respect they conducted their inquiry in the wee hours of the morning. Many of us have had some form of encounter with the local cops reporting burglaries and many may say that the authorities have at most been lethargic, unresponsive and rude. Also media brands law enforcing officers as arrogant and corrupt. Of course such exist. There are law bending, breaking cops around, who abuse the power they have in their hands but somewhere along the line is also an honest cop, doing his job and may be putting in a bit more effort than we give credit for.
With crime and terrorism on the rise in all growing cities, it is assuring to know that efforts are being made to prevent incidents that change neighborhoods significantly forever. It’s far from how Western countries have designed their law enforcing forces but it’s a start nevertheless, a decent start. There is a need to redesign the system and structure of law enforcement in India, a need for the public to respect the police force, a need for us collectively to prevent crime by cooperating with the law enforcement. Many a times we want to buy ourselves out of a traffic offence, not realizing that there could be serious repercussions to such an offence. And most of us want to stay out of trouble by not helping others seriously affected by crime. There is a need for Indians to understand that by volunteering not only are they helping others but they are doing themselves a favor by preventing future crime and of ridding a guilty conscience. There is a joint responsibility in preventing crime and citizens really need to do their part as well and recognising this will ensure more safety for everyone.
I really don’t know if this change is being seen in all the neighborhoods in Bangalore or if it is happening in other cities but I welcome this change in the area where I live. I would want to thank the sub-inspector/night duty officer/patrol officer, whoever is in charge for attempting to make my neighborhood safer and hope that it is an indicator of serious change for the whole country.
well it would be nice if this were an increasing trend. but I won’t believe it till I see it become more widespread.
You touched on something important, which is that it is not only an issue with the police, but that people here are really lacking any kind of civic responsibility. why should the police strain themselves when most people are loathe to get involved when they see any kind of crime? Just recently I read of a problem on a private bus, where 2 goondas forced the driver to stop, dragged some woman off a bus and raped her on the side of the road whilst the driver just stayed there parked and all the people on the bus watched! If all the men on the bus had intervened, this poor woman would have been saved. Do not tell me some 30-odd men could not have stopped two drunk goondas?!? But no one wanted to get involved. But these same people will complain when they are robbed and the police don’t do a thing about it.
people need to take some interest in helping the police do their jobs. I know the system is corrupt and there are pitfalls. But maybe some positive action on the part of the people will help policemen take some pride in their jobs.