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Tuesday, Nov 02, 2010
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Global meeting on community policing

Special Correspondent

Officers from 33 countries to attend

Kodiyeri Balakrishnan says the objective is to reduce crime rate.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Police will organise an international seminar in Kochi on November 3 and 4 to share their experiences on community policing with officers from other countries.

The community policing scheme will be expanded to 100 more police stations across the State.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told the media here on Monday that 33 countries, including the U.S., South Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden, Poland, Afghanistan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia had confirmed their participation.

Chiefs of Police and other officials from these countries will attend the seminar and exchange their experiences. Directors-General of Police from other Indian States and retired police officers, including Kiran Bedi, will take part in the conference.

The Minister said community policing had a history of more than 100 years. Kerala had implemented it in 43 police stations on the recommendations of the K.T. Thomas Commission in 2007.

The objectives were to strengthen relations between the people and the police, reduce crime rate and improve beat policing.

The government proposed to introduce the system in 50 more police stations from November 15 and another 50 police stations from December 1. With this, at least one police station in an Assembly constituency would have community policing.

Mr. Balakrishnan said the results of community policing were mixed internationally. In Kerala, crimes could be brought down in Kochi, Aluva and Perinthalmanna.

The Kochi City Police had won the award for community policing instituted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police recently. The seminar was aimed at reviewing and assessing international experiences so that Kerala could adopt practices that would be beneficial.

He said there was an opinion that community policing should be introduced across India with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressing this view at a conference of Chief Ministers and Home Ministers.

Some States had initiated steps in that direction and officials from those States were keen on attending the seminar. Police personnel from stations in Kerala where it has been introduced will also attend the seminar.

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