Pune: Housing society members to be roped in as special police officers

TNN | Updated: Apr 19, 2020, 09:26 IST

Pune police have decided to appoint physically-fit members of housing societies as special police officers (SPOs) on a voluntary basis.

Pune police have decided to appoint physically-fit members of housing societies as special police officers (SP...Read More

PUNE: In an attempt to overcome the manpower crunch in implementing lockdown and social distancing measures, the city police have decided to appoint physically-fit members and office-bearers of housing societies, between the age of 18 and 50, as special police officers (SPOs) on a voluntary basis.
Pune police commissioner K Venkatesham and joint police commissioner Ravindra Shisve reviewed the manpower at local police stations on Tuesday evening before taking a decision on appointing SPOs under the provisions of the Mumbai Police Rules. "For now, we are aiming at having five to 10 SPOs for each police station," Shisve told TOI. The Pune police has a total 30 police stations.
Shisve said, "The SPOs will have to carry identity cards, which would be issued to them after background verification, but they cannot use them for personal work. There are some far-flung areas where it takes time for policemen to reach and the SPOs will be of great help in such places."
The police will ensure that those volunteering as SPOs do not have any political/criminal affiliation and also do not suffer from underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or other critical ailments. A background check on the volunteers will be carried out by senior inspectors of local police stations. The zonal deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) will issue identity cards to the SPOs once their verification is done.
A DCP told TOI "Many women police constables, who are pregnant or are suffering from various ailments, are on compulsory leave. The police stations are short staffed, but crime has reduced considerably in the city. Right now, we need men to keep an eye on roads and to maintain peace and tranquility in society".
The SPOs will help the police in implementing social distancing norms and assist needy residents in their society or locality. They will make arrangements for essentials, such as vegetables, groceries, water etc with the help of the local police station. They will also help local residents needing urgent medical attention. Police will circulate phone numbers of essential services to them.
Also, the SPOs will have to alert police about gathering of people in their areas, criminal incidents, if any, and about people breaching social distancing norms.