NEW DELHI: The training wing of Delhi Police is up for a revamp with commissioner SN Shrivastava taking a slew of measures to change the posting rules and incentivising those who serve there.
TOI has learnt that Shrivastava has issued orders for selection of officers to the Police Training Centre through an interview and screening by a board. An officer would also be given a posting of choice after successfully completing three years with the unit. Apart from that, able officers would be allowed to choose an area of specialisation and pursue it in India or abroad based on the collaboration with Bureau of Police Research and Development.
The move has been termed as a “game-changer” by several senior IPS officers. They agreed that traditionally the training wing was considered a punishment posting or a unit for those who were either “out of favour” or unsuitable for mainstream and high-profile units. In the last 10 years, several officers, either at loggerheads with the police chiefs or after removal from high-profile posts, have been posted there. Shrivastava’s concept appeared significant in that context, the officers agreed.
“At present, the training of policemen is the weakest link and has remained out of focus for years. The result is seen in day-to-day procedures when they deal with the public or handle law and order situations impulsively. Lack of training is quite apparent at times. With incentivising and prioritising the unit and officers, results can be outstanding,” said a retired top cop.
Shrivastava told TOI that eligible police officers should be posted in the unit so that meaningful and professional training could be imparted to the trainees. “Such units are responsible for overall personality development and imparting professional training to trainees. Training plays a pivotal role in enhancing one’s performance on the field,” he added.
According to the new policy, police officers of all ranks would be selected on a fixed criteria. The officer should be willing to work there and have an aptitude for training. “Officers from any cadre of Delhi Police, like ministerial, communication, etc, can be considered. The applicant should also not have any adverse entries in the last five years. The officer should have served in field units, preferably districts, during his preceding three years of posting,” the document stated.
Selected officers would have a tenure of three years, extendable by two years, after which they would be allowed to opt for becoming the “core group” members. Tenure extension would be done after considering overall performance in training. A core group of 15% of the posted strength for promoting specialisation would be created. It would comprise all branches of policing and training.
A committee would review the performance of staff every six months on the basis of objective assessment and feedback received from trainees. For this, a standardised trainees feedback proforma would be prepared. Non-performers would be transferred out of the unit.