Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

Police misunderstood by public: Sharraf

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA, FEB. 15. The Police Commissioner, Umesh Sharraf, has said that though the Police Department is the visible arm of State power, it functions under severe constraints. Delivering a guest lecture on `Police-public relationship' for students of Andhra Loyola College here on Tuesday, he said there were misconceptions in the public on the role of policemen. "Without the police, the State cannot exist," he asserted, adding that "the struggle to improve the system will go on."

Pointing out that there were basic flaws like the Police Act, 1861, which placed department personnel under control of the executive, Mr. Sharraf said the situation in the State was better when compared to northern States where district Collectors decide the course of action to be taken by police officers.

Changing crime scene

"The face of crime is changing, but we continue to follow the age-old systems that do not match the pace of criminal minds," he reasoned. About the mismatch between public expectations and police performance, he lamented that no Government was willing to take up reforms in the department.

Mr. Sharraf reiterated that constant criticism could make policemen harsh and insensitive. "The prime responsibility of a policeman should be to detect and prevent crime," he said.

`Flaws' in system

Using cartoons and quotes during his lecture, Mr. Sharraf referred to Bentham, Romilly and Gardiner who said cure for crime lies in making punishment more certain rather than more severe. "Only 20 out of 1,000 criminals are jailed under our system," he maintained.

Mr. Sharraf regretted the fact that policemen were projected in a poor light. The public perception of a policeman was that he was corrupt, he noted.

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