Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Women SIs selection on

By K.T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI JAN. 3. With the Tamil Nadu Government deciding to form a women team in every regular police station in the State and to have an All-Women Police Station in every sub-division, the process of selecting nearly 960 sub-inspectors has been set in motion.

Responding to an advertisement by the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board, about 6,000 candidates have applied. Physical endurance and measurement tests are expected to be conducted in the last week of this month.

It is proposed to hold viva-voce by February-end. It is nearly after three years the Government is going in for the appointment of women sub-inspectors, the last selection having been held in 1999-2000, police sources say. After the selection, the recruits would undergo training for a year and a practical training for six months.

Recognising the need for posting women personnel to deal with complaints relating to crimes against women, the Government has decided to post a team of one woman sub-inspector and two grade-II women constables in each of the 1,217 regular stations.

According to official statistics, women teams were formed in 287 stations. On an experimental basis, three AWPS were started in 1992 at Thousand Lights, Kothawalchavadi and Adyar, here. The stations dealt mainly with "dowry harassment" complaints.

Considering the popularity of the stations and requirement for similar facilities, particularly in rural areas, the number went up to 58 in the next three years. Later, it was decided to set up stations in the remaining 126 sub-divisions in a phased manner.

Personnel have additional responsibility in AWPS, where `childline number', to help children in distress, is available. Women personnel are trained to resolve problems of women petitioners. Special courses to improve their knowledge and expertise in dealing with problems of women and children are being offered.

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