MANY FACETS OF POLICE CHIEF
In the last two months that he has been at the helm of affairs, Patnaik has taken many awe-inspiring decisions
In the last two months that he has been at the helm of affairs, Patnaik has taken many awe-inspiring decisions
Tough Cop
In a sweeping decision to clean up the rot in the police force, Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik has asked all senior police officers to provide him with the details of policemen being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, but prosecution against them is pending due to sanction from higher ups. He intends to review each case on merit and decide whether a quick sanction needs to be given.
In a sweeping decision to clean up the rot in the police force, Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik has asked all senior police officers to provide him with the details of policemen being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, but prosecution against them is pending due to sanction from higher ups. He intends to review each case on merit and decide whether a quick sanction needs to be given.
According to police sources, in a recent communication, Patnaik has asked all deputy commissioners, additional commissioners and the traffic chief to provide all relevant details of the policemen against whom prosecution sanction is pending in corruption cases registered with ACB. “There are cases wherein investigations are complete, but prosecution sanction from the concerned department is pending. In order to bring down the pendency rate of such cases, details of those policemen are being sought. Once the details are gathered, a review will be taken to decide on whether a sanction is to be given,” said Rajkumar Vhatkar, deputy commissioner of police, operations.
In a bid to eradicate the department from the menace of corruption, Patnaik had recently announced a dedicated anti-bribery helpline on which the citizens can directly call in and provide details if they have been asked to pay a bribe.
Patnaik has also recently ordered senior officials to keep tab on their juniors, as there have been instances where the subordinates have connived with the builder lobby and formed a crime syndicate with them. Patnaik also told them that the security threat to the builders will be assessed from time to time and the arms license will be withdrawn from builders who are no longer under such threats. The top cop has also ordered that the court kartoons (constables assigned court duty) and summons/warrants staff be changed on a frequent basis to prevent corrpution.
— Somendra Sharma
Human Face
But the police chief is not all about giving grief to his subordinates. According to sources, having recently compared the quality of canteen food served to him with that given to constables, Arup Patnaik ordered a complete makeover of the police canteen to ensure there is no disparity.
But the police chief is not all about giving grief to his subordinates. According to sources, having recently compared the quality of canteen food served to him with that given to constables, Arup Patnaik ordered a complete makeover of the police canteen to ensure there is no disparity.
A few weeks ago, Patnaik ordered food from the police canteen for himself and then asked a constable to do the same. “When he compared what was served to him with that to the constable, he was upset and immediately ordered changes. A complete makeover of the police canteen has now been approved,” said the source.
A constable who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the food available in the canteen is usually of poor quality. “It is so bad that we prefer getting food from home,” he said.
While denying there is any such decision, deputy commissioner RM Vhatkar did confirm the canteen overhaul. “After inspection it was realised that the quality was not up to mark. Therefore, necessary changes will be made in the police canteen. Widows of policemen will soon be replaced by a special cook to ensure that the constables at the head office get top-class food,” said Vhatkar.
The constables also won’t have to wait for too long to check out the new delicacies on their menu. “The work is already in progress and it should not take more than 15-20 days for it to get completed. We are committed to providing the best quality food to constables as soon as possible,” added Vhatkar.
—Sunchika B Pandey
Ace Administrator
Believing that regular transfers are the key to keeping indiscipline, complacency and corruption under check, police commissioner Arup Patnaik has issued a circular ordering that the Readers and orderlies (PAs) of high-ranking officers who have been attached with them for a long time should be transferred.
He has reasoned that by virtue of their boss’ heavy dependence on them, they corner a lot of clout within the department, and become privy to lots of confidential information. As a result, some of them have been known to leak the information of raids and actions against a concerned party.
“Instances have come to my notice wherein wireless operators and office staff have alerted their benefactors by giving missed calls and SMSes from the official car of the officers itself,” Patnaik states in the circular.
It adds that some constables in the Local Crime Branch (LCB) and those attached to senior officers exercise disproportionate clout in the department and are known to be conduits for corruption. “The clout and the activities of the orderlies to senior police inspectors in Mumbai is to be seen to be believed,” remarks Patnaik, and adds, “Apart from an unholy relationship with shady and anti-social elements, they also lead a lavish life style and due to proximity to seniors, and misbehave even with officers who are senior to them.”
The order directs senior officials to implement the principle of fixed tenure and rotation of duties, which should be followed ‘without any exception whatsoever’ and only personnel with impeccable integrity and clean records should be appointed to such vital posts.
—Shahkar Abidi