Punjab Police win FICCI smart award

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 23

The Punjab Police have got the FICCI Smart Policing Award-2019 in the category of Smart Police Station for the initiative “People’s Police Station in Bathinda”.

IGP Bathinda Range MF Farooqui has received this award on behalf of Punjab Police. Moroever, IGP Farooqui was the brainchild behind giving Civil Lines police station in the city a makeover and making it a smart police station.

While addressing a press conference, Farooqui said: “It is mere an acknowledgement that it is the need of the society. It is neither feather in our cap nor a thing to boast. It is an added responsibility to deliver as per the expectations of the society”.

With the aim of making the premises people-friendly, the Bathinda Civil Lines police station was given a makeover and was made a smart police station in December last year.

Under the image makeover project, the first corporate-style Civil Lines police station in the city was given corporate look with a waiting hall and a public relations officer has been deputed to listen to complaints of people.

Moreover, new work stations were created for the investigation officer where excellent ambience has been established to enhance their spirits as well improves overall efficiency. Even signage or name boards outside every room have been installed.

Apart from this, CCTV cameras were installed in the entire police station to ensure accountable and transparent policing. It was made a green police station as solar panels were also installed on its terrace to reduce its power bills by 80 per cent.

Even the emphasis has been laid on use of digitalisation and minimising the resource wastage of time, energy and effort as well as such as judicious usage of stationery and other resources.

Moreover, in the nomination paper of the award, Punjab Police had stated that reason behind making this smart police station was that it will provide a dedicated desk to the public for their all kind of enquiries and support. It will not only enhance the connivance of the public but it will build an environment of mutual trust and co-operation between police and public.

This was started as a pilot project at the Civil Lines police station, as after getting good response from public, other police stations were also to be developed on similar pattern.