Transform police system, says President

President Pranab Mukherjee has called upon leaders of police and security forces to "transform the police system" to bring it in sync with the requirements of a modern democratic nation.

The president was addressing delegates of the annual conference of directors and inspectors general of police from the states and union territories, and heads of central police organisations when they called on him at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Saturday.

The president, according to a press release issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan Sunday, said police officials must ensure that the grievances of common people are addressed, and must work in partnership with other stake holders to create a peaceful and secure atmosphere, conducive to the nation's growth and prosperity.

The president also expressed disappointment that the police sometimes fail to win the confidence of all sections of society, and said the rule of law, a cardinal principle on which a modern state rests, must be strictly enforced, with promptness and fairness.

He called on the leaders of the police forces to provide good and able leadership through their actions and values.

Mukherjee said external and internal communication must be strengthened by the police forces, to deal with the worrying increase in communal tensions. Communication with people has to be maintained; at the same time, communication within the organisation, right down to the beat level, must be improved, he said.

District and local administration must notice communal tensions in their initial stages, and take measures to contain them quickly, he said.

The president called on the police to do everything to prevent corruption and ensure accountability and probity in public life. He cautioned, however, that it would be inappropriate for police agencies to sit in judgement over policy formulation.

The president noted that with growing urbanisation, dimensions of crime have increased, adversely affecting all segments of society. However, the worst sufferers were women and children, and violence against these vulnerable groups needed to be dealt with firmly.

Effective policing of urban areas, especially metropolitan cities, must be attended to with urgency, the president said, adding that affirmative police action was needed to ensure the safety of marginalised sections of society.

The president also noted the challenges that the police face in their functioning, and the constraints of manpower and logistics. He said that the police forces in the country had acquitted themselves well, despite the challenges. He urged senior police officers to take care of the welfare of the constabulary and their families.

The police in India should be a proactive service provider - a law enforcing body and a partner in growth, development and peace, the president said, complimenting the forces for their commitment, dedication and service to the nation.