Repeated instances of individual aberrations by policemen — including 10 custodial deaths this year, allegations of ill-treatment meted out to citizens trying to lodge complaints and ‘favoured’ treatment of criminals — will now come under the scanner. The police department will install close-circuit televisions (CCTVs) in 84 police stations in city by the month-end.
The video footage storage capacity of CCTV will span three days allowing complainants to approach senior police officers if their cognizable complaints were not registered by neighbourhood police stations.
Mumbai’s new police chief Dhananjay Jadhav told DNA: “Traditionally, the use of CCTVs is aimed at twin purposes. The first purpose is to ensure security at police stations and the second is to keep a watch on our own staff. For instance, the senior police official in charge of a police station will continuously monitor the functioning of junior officials through a screen mounted in his cabin that shows the live footage on his screen.”
“The senior police officer may immediately recall the video footage of the time when the complainant visited the police station and verify his grouse. He will be authorised to take immediate action if some officers found to have abdicated their responsibility to the citizen,” another senior police officer told DNA.
Jadhav, however, said: “The fact is that whenever a complainant approaches senior police officers about his cognizable complaint not being registered at the local police station, the superior has no reason to disbelieve him if his case is definitely cognizable. Therefore, the need of the video footage may not be needed for this purpose. If there is some police aberration then probably the video footage becomes relevant.”
The city police are taking a leaf out of the Scotland Yard police department where CCTVs are the norm for monitoring efficient functioning of the police administration.
The move has irked the constabulary as they feel the move is aimed at keeping a “watch on the watchdogs”.
A police officer, seeking anonymity, said: “You must understand the intense pressure that is mounted upon us to solve and detect serious cases. At times, we do have to armtwist suspects in serious offences like the recent serial train blasts case while pursuing leads.
“If we are kept under video surveillance, criminals will be comfortable even in police custody and refrain from admitting to their crimes.”
Another constable stressed the need for having CCTVs installed in police stations, “Please understand this. We are paid low wages. Some small pickings the local police stations we make by assisting complainants will now come under video scrutiny if CCTVs are placed in all police stations.”
