My job is to improve policing, not think about image: Maria

As Mumbai Police's image takes a big hit with men in khaki facing serious criminal charges, including rape, its chief today said his first and foremost job was to provide quality policing and not to keep his force happy.
Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria said he was accountable to people and not worried about the 50,000-odd strong force's reputation getting tarnished by disciplinary actions taken by him against erring personnel.
"You may be right, but let me tell you the fact - I am here to serve the people of the city first, especially women and senior citizens. This is where buck stops," he said while speaking to the reporters.

Maria was replying to a query whether he was concerned about creating a sense of fear among the force by taking punitive action against personnel under his command for wrongdoing.
In the past few weeks, the senior IPS officer has taken stringent actions, including suspensions and transfers, against staffers accused of gross professional misconduct.
"There have been a slew of unwanted incidents that have dented the image of Mumbai Police. I am trying to restore the police force's glory," he added.

Rape charges against DIG Sunil Paraskar (in 2014) and also three other policemen, who were also accused of robbing a model early this month, involvement of a Constable in drug trade and inept handling of a case related to rape of a five- year-old girl are some of the incidents which have brought disrepute to Mumbai Police.

"After finishing my job, when I leave office daily, I make sure that I am going without any sense of guilt," said the 58-year-old officer, who took charge as city police chief early last year.
Maria said his doors were open for everyone, including the tainted police personnel if they feel injustice has been meted out to them.
"My doors are open for everyone - from a common man to a tainted policeman. They are free to put their case before me," Maria concluded.