Needed: Cops with passion

B.B. Ashok Kumar (Retired ACP)

There are several vulnerable areas across Bengaluru city which during the night, become dens for miscreants to drink, gamble and create nuisance. As of now, patrolling in and around such areas is very poor.

However, if our city police can put in an extra effort, they can avoid such trespassers. These are the places where criminals also plan their illegal activities.

The only way to keep miscreants out of these areas is police monitoring 24x7. It is difficult to penetrate deep into these areas if the cops use their cars with police sirens blaring or vehicle lights on as it would be enough of a warning to these people to hide somewhere.

My experience shows that only habitual offenders dare to trespass into such places in the dark. I remember that during our time as officers, we used to go deep inside the jungles to monitor illegal activities. Now as we have improved technologies, we can do better than that. CCTV cameras with night vision can be installed at places and they can also have some lights.

The department will have to depute daring cops to monitor such places regularly without fail. In a rape incident that took place in 2012, a gang was arrested in the case. This gang, I’m talking about, was involved in cutting and stealing sandalwood trees during the night.

Police can increase their patrolling but they should use two-wheelers to enter deep into the areas. However, after late evenings, the areas are deserted and rarely anyone enters these places. If any suspicious person is caught, they should make inquiries and take necessary action.

Similarly, in some cases the cops may encounter women at such places. The parents or guardians of the women should be informed about this keeping it confidential.

While the job is not easy, the department must identify officers with strong body language and the passion to put in an extra effort. They should be equipped with VLpistols (Very Light) that is often given to the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and a Dragon light instead of a torch.

Finally the department must do their bit to keep the officers motivated. Once a case is solved, the department must reward them handsomely.

(As told to Hameed Ashraf)