BPRD to execute national projects to improve police behaviour

The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), the central government's think tank on policing issues, has decided to execute two pan-India projects aimed at improving police behaviour and ensuring better response by the personnel in 'khaki' to victims of major or heinous crimes.

The department, that functions under the Union home ministry, will undertake a pilot project soon in this context.

BPRD Director General (DG) A P Maheshwari told PTI that the bureau will undertake a country-wide operation, with the help of various state police forces, to improve police behaviour while dealing with a common man or a victim of crime.

"This will be a comprehensive action plan aimed to ensure that the policeman on ground treats and behaves nicely while rendering his duty.

"A pilot project will soon be launched in Uttar Pradesh in this context," Maheshwari said.

He added that a pan-India 'crime victim survey' that will ascertain the perception and feedback of the people while going through various policing processes is also on the anvil.

"We have chosen eight heinous crimes whose victims will be contacted for this survey. This is aimed to better understand the exact problem faced by the victims while dealing with the police," he said.

The DG said the bureau is also researching and developing protocols to find ways as to how police summonses could be served to the people with the help of the internet and over email or WhatsApp.

Usage of artificial intelligence and psychometric tests in ascertaining the well being of police personnel is also being planned, he said.