Delhiites want policewomen to be given more proactive role

NEW DELHI: Delhiites feel that women personnel in Delhi Police should be given a more proactive role as they can act as a force against corruption and a deterrent against use of foul language by their male counterparts.

This is among the findings of a study conducted by the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD).

A high 76 per cent of Delhiites surveyed as part of the study 'People's Perception of Women Police' believe that women personnel can implement laws more effectively and sincerely than their male counterparts.

"Two-third of the respondents are of the view that women police can be given general functions of police as well as issues related to women and children...78 per cent feels women can be entrusted with the independent powers of probing cases of women victimisation," the report said.

The study, prepared after interviewing politicians, social workers, journalists, intellectuals, and businessmen, found that a whopping 88 per cent believe that men in the force will hesitate to use vulgar language in the presence of women cops.

Forty-six per cent also believe women are less corrupt and hence would help in minimising corruption in the force.

Noting that the role of women in policing is "very crucial", Bureau of Police Research and Development Director General Kiran Bedi, who is the first woman IPS officer of the country, said women personnel contribute a lot towards crime prevention.

"Women officials help in crime prevention as they have a reach within the society and they help in reconciliation. This helps in taking a lot of pressure off the officers involved in crime detection," Bedi said.

Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said the presence of women has increased in all fields of policing and the city force gives them all kinds of responsibilities, ranging from heading a police station to conducting investigations, managing traffic and duties related to providing security.

"The police headquarters has given instructions to the rank and file that women-related cases should be probed by women officers," he said, adding Delhi Police received about one lakh applications from women for about 1,000 vacancies.

However, on the flip side, the report said women cops, like their male counterparts, succumb to pressure from political bosses.

"At present politicians give shelter to criminals and influence police actions. The women police easily succumb to political influence.

"Nearly half (46 per cent) of the respondents agreed to it, although similar number of respondents disagreed. In their opinion, politicians influence both men and women alike," the report said.

It noted that 24 per cent of the respondents were in favour of "any police officer" interrogating women, while 30 per cent were in favour of male officials questioning women in the presence of women cops.

"Forty-six per cent favoured that questioning of women cops be entrusted with lady officials only," it added.

However, 28 per cent of the 500 respondents rate the image of women officials in Delhi Police as "poor", said Om Raj Singh of NIPCCD.