Date:17/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/17/stories/2007071750310100.htm

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Namakkal police fare well in the eyes of public

Karthik Madhavan

Says a survey conducted by students of K.S. Rangasamy College of Arts and Science
88 per cent respondents have positive things to say about the police

TIRUCHENGODE: Policemen in Namakkal district have something more than medals and badges to decorate their uniforms. It’s the appreciation from the public, who say Namakkal police are people-friendly, acknowledge complaints immediately and act upon them as well.

This has been revealed in an image auditing survey, conducted by the management students of K.S. Rangasamy College of Arts and Science in the 28 police stations in the district.

The 800 plus-strong sample survey, having opinions of public, complainants and policemen, says 88 per cent respondents have positive things to say about the police.

The highlights of the survey: policemen immediately register and acknowledge complaints, treat well the complainants by offering a seat and inquiring into their complaint and not reducing the value of stolen goods.

The survey says 71 per cent of the respondents think that the police do not distinguish between the rich and poor, 83 per cent perceive the police to be friendlier than ever before, 81 per cent say that police immediately act upon their complaints. The complainants’ response: Eighty-four per cent of them say that they are not sent from one station to another citing limitations of jurisdiction, 95 per cent of them have been treated with respect. There is one not-so-good remark, though. About 60 per cent of the respondents have said the policemen ask them to buy paper, carbon sheets and other stationeries at the time of registering complaints. As regards the policemen’s response, only 49 per cent of the respondents say that no policeman has earned a bad name with the public.

All the respondents say the complainants are treated with due respect and offered seat, and all complaints are acknowledged.

Asked for his comments on the survey, Inspector General of Police, West Zone, K. Rajendran, says the survey has been conducted to take stock of the police image, which after study, will lead to action to improve the image.