Date:04/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/04/stories/2005120418370300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Constables have some cause to cheer

Over the past few months the commissioner has ensured that each policeman involved in the detection is given due recognition for his work, writes K.V. Subramanya

FINALLY THERE is a smile on the faces of constables and head constables, whose good work had remained largely unrecognised for years.

After taking over as Commissioner of Police Ajai Kumar Singh started the practice of publicly rewarding those policemen who played an important role in solving crime.

Over the years, the work of constables and head constables in crime detection was hardly appreciated.

Senior officers, mainly inspectors and assistant commissioners of police (ACPs), were given the full credit for the detections.

According to senior officials, constables and head constables constitute nearly 87 per cent of the police force and they play a significant role in detecting cases and arresting the accused/suspects.

Normally it is the constables and head constables who gather intelligence about criminals and thus contribute largely to the successful investigation. The little recognition they got for their work had apparently lowered their morale, the officials pointed out.

During the past few months, Dr. Singh has ensured that each policeman involved in the detection is given due recognition for his work. The commissioner has been issuing appreciation certificates and cash rewards to policemen at media briefings and police parades.

Nearly 500 policemen have been rewarded in the past few months.

On every occasion Dr. Singh has been requesting presspersons to mention the names of the constables and head constables in their reports and not to give publicity only to senior officials.

He has also recommended the names of the policemen, who solved some major cases, to the State Government for higher rewards and medals.

According to Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) M.C. Narayana Gowda none of Dr. Singh's predecessors had given so many rewards and appreciation letters to the policemen.

"The gesture has boosted the morale of the lower-rung police personnel and encouraged them to work more efficiently. In several cases even the inspectors and ACPs have been rewarded, " Mr. Gowda says.

Some of the constables, who have received the cash rewards, say that though the amount they have got is small, nothing can match the satisfaction of getting the reward. A constable attached to the Commercial Street police station says that shaking hands with the commissioner and receiving the appreciation certificate from him itself was a great reward.

Apart from rewarding the policemen, the commissioner has also been issuing appreciation certificates and cash rewards for the public who had caught chain/mobile phone snatchers and sandalwood smugglers.

Senior officials feel that the practice of rewarding the public will encourage many more civilians to rush to the rescue of victims of crime and also help the police in catching criminals.