He has served in the State earlier as Inspector General of Police for three years up to July 2020, which is less than two years ago and so has a fairly good understanding of what the State requires in terms of policing and also police reforms. In that sense, it won’t take the new DGP too long to mark out his priorities and get started on them.
In a way he already has, for in an interesting statement on taking charge, the new DGP said there will be no tolerance displayed towards any violent behaviour from the police force and that appropriate action will be taken against police officers who show tendency to be violent. There must be reason for him to say this on his first day in office. It is sending out a strong message that the members of the police force have to act within the ambit of the law and not over step. If he can keep the police force in line, then crime too can be brought under control.
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There is crime in Goa that perhaps requires a different kind of policing. For instance, the coastal belt would need members who can act like public relations professionals when dealing with the tourists holidaying in the area, while also being extremely strict with the travellers creating a nuisance during their stay in Goa. Simultaneously, the same beach belt has been plagued by the menace of overstaying foreigners and drug peddlers who would require a different sort of law enforcer, one who will create fear in them so that they do not repeat their offences. Also, if there is a correlation between overstaying and drug peddling then the former requires to be dealt with very sternly and the police will play a major role here.
One area that needs some tough policing would be heinous crime, where firearms are used. Goa, in the past two years, has been shocked by a number of gun-related crimes across the State. These were once rare giving Goa the description of being a peaceful State, but that term can no longer be used to describe Goa as killings have increased and gang wars have spilled onto the streets. With the number of crimes involving guns increasing, the new DGP will have to address this and find ways to bring down such crime. It is a serious matter and has to be on his immediate to do list.
A major challenge before the new DGP will be to insulate the police force from political interference and let the police do their job as per the rules in force, without the fear of the politician breathing down their neck. Interference in the police department is not peculiar to Goa, but is a phenomenon seen across the country and a solution to it has been elusive. Goa, with a small manageable area and population can lead the change and show how it could be done. But success here depends not just on the efforts of the Police Department but also on that of the government. Unless the latter is willing to loosen its hold on the department it will not happen.
The nature of crime is changing and policing methods will have to adapt to these. Cybercrime and economic offences are on the rise. These are crimes that require a specialised force and which demand new investigation methods. The department has to keep pace with the changes to keep the citizenry safe from such crime. The new DGP has challenges, but also has the experience so perhaps he will make a difference to the department and improve its functioning.
