The dilemma on whom to approach in case of a complaint against a police officer or station will soon end with the State Police Chief’s directive to keep a specially designed poster with instructions about the appellate authority empowered to redress the grievances.
A directive has been issued to all station house officers to display the poster at police stations within a week.
Police sources said the effort was aimed at discouraging the practice of taking up such complaints with the media and pave the way for public criticism.
Some of the recent cases in which the ‘illegal’ actions of some of the police officers were telecast through the media also prompted the Police Department to come up with a solution.
As per the directive, three such posters explaining the details of the higher authorities responsible to settle the grievances should be displayed at the visiting area or the reception.
Other than pasting somewhere like a notice, it will have to be fixed in a permanent way after framing or laminating the printed material.
Mainly the subdivisional police officer or the District Police Chief will be responsible for handling such complaints against their subordinates. Inspector Generals of the ranges concerned too can be contacted for serious grievances against their subordinates. They have also been directed to ensure that all police stations display the poster within the stipulated time.
Online help
For those who do not want to approach any police officer directly for reposting the grievances, an exclusive online support platform Thuna has also been introduced.
Complaints can be registered online through the portal thuna.keralapolice.gov.in. After creating a user name and password, complainants can log in to the portal and file the petitions.
Other benefits
An officer attached to the police headquarters said the portal would also serve as an online aide to download the progress related to various cases and copies of the first information report.
Also, requests can be made for processing character certificate, permission for events, public protests, and no-objection certificates through the portal. Even anonymous tips too can be communicated to the Intelligence wing through the portal, he said.