Don’t get personal, TP Senkumar to Kerala Police

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State police chief designate T P Senkumar has flayed the practice of the police personnel extending personal help to individuals on the pretext of community policing.

Speaking at a seminar held in connection with the Kerala Police Association state conference here on Tuesday, Mr Senkumar said their job under community policing should not be to run teashops or pay electricity bills, but to carry out policing in a people-friendly manner.

“Police personnel should be involved only in policing,” he said. Transport Commissioner R Sreelekha said at its women’s meet that the government's assurances to increase women’s representation in the police force was still remaining on paper. Representation of women in Kerala police is only 5.3 percent, which is below the national average of 5.6 percent.

“More than ten years back, I heard announcements that more women will be inducted into the state police and more women-only police stations will be set up. Ten year down the line, nothing much has happened,” she said.

“Even last year I heard the same assurances. I don't think any major change would happen even after I retired".

Ms Sreelekha, who is the first woman IPS officer from the state, wanted the women cops to be integrated with the general police streams so that they get better chances to work and promotions.