MUMBAI: Wrinkled faces with grey hair will soon man dedicated help desks for the elderly at police stations in Mumbai. In a first, the police department will handpick senior citizens and train them to help individuals their age tackle common grievances.
The volunteers may mediate in squabbles or offer counseling, but they will have to direct the aggrieved to police officers if it is a serious issue involving law. The volunteers can meet senior citizens at public places to hear them out. Activists working for the welfare of the elderly have welcomed the move.
As a pilot project, help desks will come up at Malabar Hill and Vile Parle police stations next month. The volunteers will be selected after taking physical and mental fitness into account. They will be trained on what questions to ask and how best to resolve issues. They will work in shifts at the police stations.
Over the years, Mumbai Police have been following a system where beat constables keep a record of senior citizens living in their jurisdiction and visit their homes once a month to check on them. Police have also been running a helpline (1090) for senior citizens in distress. This system will be supplemented with a force of trained elderly volunteers who can be approached by any senior citizen having a grievance.
"This is a good move and will provide meaningful engagement to elders, particularly those in their 60s, many of whom are active. Senior citizens are an unused asset and trained elderly volunteers can bridge the gap between police and public," said Sailesh Mishra of the NGO, Silver Innings. He added that there are more than 100 associations for senior citizens registered in the city. "Members of these associations usually come together for yoga or spiritual discussions. They would be enthused to do social work," Mishra added.
Police are also contemplating creation of WhatsApp groups for volunteers from every locality, with one policeman added to the group in case assistance is required.
The volunteers may mediate in squabbles or offer counseling, but they will have to direct the aggrieved to police officers if it is a serious issue involving law. The volunteers can meet senior citizens at public places to hear them out. Activists working for the welfare of the elderly have welcomed the move.
As a pilot project, help desks will come up at Malabar Hill and Vile Parle police stations next month. The volunteers will be selected after taking physical and mental fitness into account. They will be trained on what questions to ask and how best to resolve issues. They will work in shifts at the police stations.
Over the years, Mumbai Police have been following a system where beat constables keep a record of senior citizens living in their jurisdiction and visit their homes once a month to check on them. Police have also been running a helpline (1090) for senior citizens in distress. This system will be supplemented with a force of trained elderly volunteers who can be approached by any senior citizen having a grievance.
"This is a good move and will provide meaningful engagement to elders, particularly those in their 60s, many of whom are active. Senior citizens are an unused asset and trained elderly volunteers can bridge the gap between police and public," said Sailesh Mishra of the NGO, Silver Innings. He added that there are more than 100 associations for senior citizens registered in the city. "Members of these associations usually come together for yoga or spiritual discussions. They would be enthused to do social work," Mishra added.
Police are also contemplating creation of WhatsApp groups for volunteers from every locality, with one policeman added to the group in case assistance is required.
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