Patna: The Bihar Police Headquarters has introduced a new initiative aimed at strengthening coordination between the police and the public. Under the new system, one Community Police Officer will be designated at every police station across Bihar.
The officer will be responsible for community policing activities, maintaining communication with residents and helping address public grievances and local concerns.
Police Headquarters issued detailed guidelines for the initiative on Tuesday. Station house officers will assign the responsibility to a suitable police officer from their team or to an additional station house officer.
Community Policing Register to Be Maintained
Every police station will maintain a Community Policing Register to record activities carried out as part of the initiative.
The register will contain details of community programmes, public outreach activities and other work undertaken by the police to strengthen engagement with local residents.
The initiative will be implemented under provisions of the Bihar Police Act, 2007. DGP Vinay Kumar said necessary directions have been issued to all district SSPs and SPs.
District SPs will review the progress of community policing during their monthly crime meetings.
Key Focus Areas Under Community Policing
The guidelines place emphasis on several areas, including:
- Treating every citizen with respect and impartiality.
- Preventing crime with the cooperation of local communities.
- Addressing local issues through community participation.
- Preparing monthly and annual community policing plans at every police station.
- Sharing and gathering relevant information with local residents.
- Promoting social harmony.
- Ensuring that no individual is discriminated against or treated unfairly.
Police to Hold Regular Meetings With Schools, Banks and Hospitals
The new system will extend police outreach beyond police stations. Through beat policing, authorities aim to establish direct police contact with residents in neighbourhoods and villages.
Residents will be able to approach beat officers directly with their concerns.
Regular meetings will also be held with schools, colleges, markets, banks and hospitals. The objective is to identify security-related concerns involving students, traders, patients and the wider public and address them in a timely manner.
Special Focus on Women, Children and Senior Citizens
The community policing programme will also include special initiatives for senior citizens, women, children and vulnerable sections of society.
The police aim to strengthen communication with these groups and provide dedicated outreach and assistance programmes.
Improved police-community coordination is also expected to help address issues such as land disputes, drug abuse, cybercrime and the spread of rumours.
Officers Barred From Collecting Donations
The guidelines also lay down clear restrictions for police personnel.
Police officers and personnel will not be allowed to seek donations or financial contributions from anyone in the name of community policing.
Confidential information and personal details shared by citizens must not be disclosed publicly. Police personnel will also be required to comply with the law and human rights standards.
Violations of these provisions may lead to action against the concerned police personnel.
SPs to Monitor Progress Every Month
District SPs will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the community policing system. Progress will be reviewed during the monthly crime meetings.
According to the police headquarters, the initiative is expected to help police receive information about local problems and potential criminal activity more quickly.
At the same time, the system is intended to give residents an easier channel to communicate their concerns to the police and strengthen trust between law enforcement agencies and the community.
