Facing flak over its own men violating traffic rules, the Delhi Traffic Police has launched an unusual prosecution drive to rein them in. In a bid to punish lawkeepers-turned-lawbreakers who end up shame-facing the police department, nearly 140 policemen have been prosecuted. The move comes after frequent violations involving men in uniform, particularly bike patrol teams, who often ride without helmets and even triple riding on bikes. In a recent incident, a police official driving a police minibus was found drunk after he rammed the bus at Ambedkar Stadium terminal.
A senior Traffic Police official said, “Change begins at home is the perfect way to describe the efforts of Delhi Traffic Police in prosecuting their own men. In the drive, traffic cops will specifically challan police officers found violating traffic norms. The drive began on July 8 and will continue in the coming months as well.”
According to Delhi Traffic Police statistics, 143 police personnel were prosecuted and 31 police vehicles were seized by the Traffic Police for violating norms. A total of 29 people were challaned for driving without a seatbelt, 68 for riding without a helmet, six for driving in the wrong lane, five for rising zigzag and 35 for other violations.
There is often a crass disregard for law by those who enact, and are supposed to uphold, laws. It shows brazen disrespect for the laws by the police who are not only supposed to respect it at all times but also ensure compliance. Netizens had also started posting pictures of various policemen who were breaking traffic rules on social networking sites and on the official page of the Delhi Traffic Police, which was an issue of concern for the department.
Speaking to The Pioneer, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Muktesh Chander revealed that the drive was an initiative to send out a strong message to everyone, including their own. “We have also written to all the unit heads and told them that traffic norms should be followed by every police officer in the area, else they would be prosecuted,” said Chander.
