SRINAGAR: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla, Gurinderpal Singh, has emphasized the vital role of public feedback in refining police operations and ensuring accountability within the force. Addressing the media in Pattan, Singh highlighted that public cooperation is indispensable for improving the effectiveness of policing and urged citizens to actively share their grievances and insights into the conduct of police officers.
Citizen Engagement Key to Police Improvement
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the SSP made these remarks in the context of recent successes in solving several theft cases in Baramulla district. He reiterated the police department’s commitment to addressing public complaints, including those related to theft, lost mobile phones, and other criminal offenses, assuring that all possible efforts would be made to resolve these issues.
Singh attributed the successful resolution of investigations to the professionalism exhibited by police personnel and the significant cooperation received from the public. He noted that investigation teams operated with autonomy and demonstrated considerable professional competence. “The most important thing for success is the public,” Singh stated, acknowledging the assistance provided by complainants and civilians in investigations, including the submission of CCTV footage, statements, crucial information, and technical evidence.
The SSP encouraged the public to maintain trust in the police and to approach the department without hesitation whenever they encounter any problems. He assured citizens that the police are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and would extend maximum effort to resolve cases and address public grievances.
Establishing Accountability Mechanisms
Regarding accountability, SSP Baramulla outlined a clear hierarchy for citizens to escalate concerns if they are dissatisfied with the progress of any investigation. He advised complainants to first approach the investigating officer, then escalate the matter to the in-charge of the concerned police post or station, followed by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), and ultimately the SSP himself.
For grievances that remain unaddressed even after these steps, Singh stated that the public could approach senior officers, including the Deputy Inspector General and the Inspector General of Police. He affirmed that the police hierarchy operates under established rules and norms of accountability and responsibility. “People must inform senior officers if they feel an officer at any level is not performing effectively,” he urged, adding that such feedback should be viewed not solely as a complaint against an individual but as an opportunity to identify areas where additional training or corrective interventions might be necessary.
“If a person needs training, we will focus on training,” Singh explained, emphasizing that public feedback is instrumental in helping the department identify shortcomings and thereby enhance its overall functioning.
Rehabilitation as a Societal Endeavor
The SSP also underscored the importance of a collective approach involving families, communities, and government agencies in the rehabilitation of offenders. He stated that the police alone cannot ensure reform, characterizing it as a responsibility shared by the entire society and government. The family of an accused person, their immediate social environment, and governmental interventions all play a critical role in preventing individuals from re-engaging in criminal activities.
However, Singh stressed that an individual’s willingness to change remains paramount, as even the most effective rehabilitation facilities and policies would yield limited results if an offender is not amenable to abandoning criminal pursuits. He noted that the police employ legal procedures, including arrests, prosecution, and court trials, to impress upon repeat offenders the consequences of their actions and their impact on society.
While a majority of individuals desist from criminal activity after their first offense, Singh indicated that those who persistently engage in criminal behavior necessitate more stringent legal action. “Enhanced prosecution and punishment measures are available to deal with habitual offenders,” he concluded.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
