Kerala - Kochi   

Citizens’ day in a police station

Photo: Vipinchandran

Strengthening accountability: Sub-Inspector of Kadavanthra police station N.R. Jayaraj explaining the functioning of the police station to representatives of residents associations as part of ‘Global Police Station Visit’ week, in the city on Wednesday. -

KOCHI: The city police are trying to put their best foot forward in community policing. Twelve stations in the city limits were selected for the “Global Police Station Visit” week which is being organised by a Copenhagen-based organisation.

The organisation, Altus Global Alliance, is working towards improving public safety and justice with special emphasis on police accountability. As part of the drive, citizens were asked to visit their local police stations and assess the service. The organisation provided local citizens with a questionnaire comprising 20 questions divided into five categories—community orientation, equal treatment of the public, detention conditions, physical condition and transparency and accountability.

“The police stations in the city were selected here because of the efficient community policing initiative. This is meant to support pro-active policing with participation from the local community,” said Manoj Abraham, City Police Commissioner.

The police stations selected in the city were Fort Kochi, Palluruthy, Kadavanthra, Ernakulam Town North, Cheranallore, Panangad, Ernakulam Town South, Thrikakkara, Udayamperoor, Hill Palace, Ambalamedu and Eloor.

During the police station visit held last week, the residents association representatives were asked to answer the questionnaire by grading various services and facilities offered in the station. The scores, along with narrative reports and photographs, if any, would be uploaded to the website of the organisation.

This year, citizens visited police stations in more than 30 countries across the world between October 22 and 28. Last year, 471 stations in 23 countries were selected for “identifying good practices in use and strengthening the accountability of police to the public,” said the literature provided by the Altus Global Alliance. Chandigarh-based Institute for Development and Communication is the local partner of the organisation.

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