LG urges Police to ensure citizen-centric policing
Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Wednesday called upon the Delhi Police to strengthen “visible, humane, technology-driven, and people-centric policing” as the force marked the annual Commissionerate Day with a ceremonial parade at the New Police Lines in Kingsway Camp.
Addressing police personnel after taking the ceremonial salute, Sandhu said the occasion reflected the Delhi Police's evolution into a professional institution since the Commissionerate System was introduced in 1978. He urged the force to remain committed to citizen-centric policing in line with the vision of a developed India. The Lieutenant Governor said ensuring the safety and security of the national Capital should remain the foremost priority, with special emphasis on women and children. He also lauded initiatives such as Operation Vishwas, under which recovered lost property is returned to citizens, saying such efforts strengthen public confidence in the police.
Highlighting the importance of community policing, Sandhu encouraged young officers to engage with residents and build trust. He also assured Delhi Police personnel of timely promotions and a transparent transfer policy, while calling for innovative measures to support the families of police martyrs. Appreciating the growing role of women in the force, he praised the Delhi Police Women Pipe and Brass Band.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, in his address, said the force had undergone significant transformation through technology-driven policing and a stronger focus on crime prevention. He said heinous crimes declined by 8 per cent compared to 2025, while offences registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita fell by 12 per cent.
Golcha said crimes against women dropped by nearly 17 per cent, with a detection rate of 98 per cent and nearly 95 per cent of cases charge-sheeted within the prescribed time limit. Motor vehicle thefts and other thefts had also declined by 21 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, marking the lowest figures recorded in the last decade.
On organised crime, the Commissioner said Operation Gang Bust and action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) had weakened criminal networks, resulting in a 27 per cent decline in the use of firearms in heinous crimes. He also announced that Delhi Police would observe July as Child Safety Awareness Month and said 123 narcotics hotspots had been identified through scientific analysis under the Centre’s anti-drug campaign.
During the ceremony, Sandhu posthumously conferred the Ahat Veer Samman Patra on Constable Vikram, who died last October after being hit by a speeding truck while on traffic duty. The honour was received by his wife, Anita Singh. 27 Delhi Police personnel also received the Medal for Meritorious Service, while awards were given to police stations and residential colonies for excellence in cleanliness.
