Cops running up a sweat in punishment- Goa

Cops running up a sweat in punishment
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The thumping of footsteps on the ground at the state police headquarters in Panaji could sound strange and disconcerting and leave one wondering why a couple of cops with rifles in their hands are running around in the midday sun. Exercise hour? An anti-terror drill? Revelation of the real reason might leave you empathizing with the sweaty men in khaki or leave you smiling and saying, “Serves them right.”

These are policemen undergoing punishment after being caught bunking work or taking a quick nap while on duty. “The message is clear: Discipline is must and those who bunk or avoid duty will be punished,” says SP (North) Bosco George. Extra drill as punishment is nothing new, but it was followed only on paper. Those punished would get away lightly with the connivance of the duty master of their respective police stations.

“An erring personnel would attend drill for just 15 minutes or so and then disappear. But records would show he had completed his hour-long drill,” explained a senior official. Offences would often be repeated because of this lax attitude. Every month, on an average about 30 to 40 policemen are sent to the orderly room for bunking or indiscipline. In August, about 40 were sent to the orderly room, of whom some 25 were punished with extra drill.

The North Goa police felt some urgent steps had to be taken to curb increasing indiscipline in the force and introduced centralized extra drill. “It was felt that this would be more effective than having drills at the respective police stations. Strict enforcement of punishment will ensure policemen do not repeat their mistakes,” said George. An officer of the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) was nominated to oversee the extra drill, which may vary from two days to a week. And senior officers claim it is already showing results. “Now there is fear and complaints have reduced. It’s fear of not just the punishment but also that of being noticed by others, including senior officials,” explained an official.

The punishment is generally awarded to cops who are absent at the roll call, patrol duty, night rounds, or those who avoid duty or indulge in indiscipline like reporting late or dozing during duty hours. Incidentally, while about 30 policemen face punishment every month, in 2009 about 400 policemen in North Goa were rewarded for good work. “Both reward and punishment are essential to instill discipline and loyalty in the force,” said George.

11 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition