‘Highway patrolling has been beefed up to check lootings’

Parminder Singh Bhandal got recruited as an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) in the Punjab Police in 1990. He has risen to the rank of the Superintendent of Police (Investigation) in the Jalandhar Rural Police owing to his outstanding performances in the national-level basketball games. During his career in the game, he did not only get a chance to captain the Indian team but was honoured with Arjuna Award in 2001. He will soon take over the charge of the SP in Mohali. In an interaction with The Tribune correspondent Gagandeep Singh, Parminder Singh Bhandal talks about his life as a basketball player and a police officer.

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How did you get an opportunity to serve in the Punjab Police?

I joined the Police Department as an ASI 1990 owing to my contribution to basketball. During the initial years, I got promoted to the rank of the SHO due to my contribution in sports after a while. I remained the captain of the Punjab team for several years. Under my captainship, Punjab got several medals, including gold in the national games. I was a member of the Indian basketball teams for many years during that period. I also become the captain of the Indian team.

What were the major awards you got for your contribution to basketball?

I got Arjuna Award in 2001. Prior to this, the Punjab Government had honoured me with Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award in 1998.

What difference did you observe as you have served from bottom to top in the Punjab Police?

I have seen numerous differences from bottom to top positions in the police. I have personally experienced the life of bottom positions in the police unlike many other police officers who are recruited directly to top positions, who don’t know much about the life of the ASIs to SHOs. I practically got to know the plight and hardships faced by police personnel. I am fully aware of the capabilities of a constable and how to get more work from them.

Did you make efforts to get problems of lower-level police personnel solved?

Obviously. When I promoted as the SHO, I dealt with many such cases. Even now, I take up the matter of police personnel with the higher authorities.

Traffic problems in rural areas have been becoming a menace. How do you deal with them?

We have inspector traffic in charge in Jalandhar district rural police. He has two sub-inspectors and five ASIs. We work at subdivision-level on various traffic issues in the rural areas. Similarly, we have contacts with NGOs to work properly. We organise meetings at schools about traffic awareness. One sub-inspector and two constables have been appointed for the same. They also hold meetings at taxi stands etc.

How do you deal with growing crime rate in the Jalandhar Rural areas, especially towards the Bhogpur side?

True, the crime rate is increasing, but we have tightened the noose around organised criminals. Two murders took place in Bhogpur lately that gave an impression of increasing crime rate. These cases have not been traced. Yet we are working hard on these issues.

How regularly does the rural police conduct highway patrolling?

Rural rapid vehicles have been quite helpful in highway patrolling in the district. Areas have been distributed to them. They work on main points of the district Jandu Singha and Samastpur.

The police seem to be facing a hard time to solve the case in which a torso was found near Adampur.

We have taken up the matter with the police and administration of neighbouring states. Advertisements have been published to find out if anyone has been missing. Yet no tip-off has been got. We found the head and arm in Nawanshahr district. DSP Adampur and police officials are getting the DNA conducted for any connection match. However, no success has been got as yet.

What is the staff strength in the police department now? Does that cause any burden?

Many policemen have retired lately. Meanwhile, the recruitment process has been initiated. They will complete training and the vacuum of retirements will be filled. There was a minor gap, which is being filled. No burden as such is being felt.

Which are sensitive or crime-prone areas in the Jalandhar Rural Police jurisdiction?

The National Highway is considered to be a crime-prone area that starts from Phillaur, Bhogpur and Kartarpur as many robberies take place here. Highway patrolling has been beefed up for the same.

Are there lack of police sources that hinder in solving crime?

I have been SP (Investigation) for the past four-five months. It takes time for an officer to make contacts and develop sources in a region. I had very few sources initially. But now I have developed sources network. An officer must remain on the same position for at least a year, as it takes some time to make sources. Transfer should not be made regularly at least after a year.