Expanding Public Outreach: Under Sehyog program CPs/SSPs to hold public meetings at villages and mohallas to gather firsthand feedback

In order to further expand the Punjab Police’s public outreach program ‘Sehyog’ at grassroot level, Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) will visit villages and mohallas to hold public meetings, gathering firsthand feedback from locals. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between police and public.

“In second phase, we have issued directions CPs/SSPs to visit villages and mohallas to hold public meetings. This approach will help authorities understand ground-level situations and foster a stronger police-public relationship,” said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

The move comes amidst DGP Punjab's ongoing ground-zero tours to improve community ties and gather feedback from people on their experiences with the police. The DGP was addressing a district level public meeting organised by the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police as part of their “Sehyog— A Police-Public Partnership Initiative” program. 

DGP Gaurav Yadav, during an informal interaction with the people from different walks of life, has taken firsthand feedback from them on city's law and order situation. He assured to resolve majority of their issues. The DGP was accompanied by Commissioner of Police (CP) Jalandhar Swapan Sharma.

He assured the gathering that in coming few months, the Jalandhar city will get an effective manpower as the Punjab Government has announced to create as many as 10,000 new posts in the Police department. Meantime, he directed CP Jalandhar to pull out force from other heads and double the strength in the traffic wing to smoothen the traffic movement in the city. 

On cyber frauds, the DGP asked the gathering to make maximum use of the ‘Golden Hour’ to immediately report the crime at ‘1930 Cyber Helpline’ number, which will help in quickly freezing/lien marking funds moved out of victims’ accounts by cyber fraudsters.

Later, DGP Gaurav Yadav also visited the futuristic Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), a first-of-its-kind initiative by the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police having the access to at least 6000 CCTV cameras installed in the city.  

Terming technology as the “force multiplier”, he said that by equipping the Punjab Police with modern technology they are focusing on preventive policing.

Pertinently, the ICCC combines Traffic and Police Control Room (PCR) units to enhance public safety and efficiency. It has yielded impressive results with the PCR response time has significantly decreased from 15 minutes to just 5 minutes. This centre also  helped in improving coordination between agencies, increasing efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and a single-point reporting system for citizens.

Interacting with the media on the sidelines of the event, DGP Gaurav Yadav said that since the newly introduced law Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) made it mandatory to record the video of the crime scene in case of offences made punishable with seven years or more, Punjab Police are focusing on recording videos using E-Sakshya mobile App. 

Police teams have recorded videos in as many as 9171 cases, he said, while adding that approximately 70 percent of the total video recordings are being done via E-Sakshya mobile App.

The DGP that the PGD portal— an online Public Grievances Redressal system— launched by the Punjab Police has been receiving an overwhelming response since its launch in July 2022. He said that till now the portal has received at least 4.5 lakh complaints, of which, 4.10 complaints have been disposed-off successfully. The PGD portal “www.pgd.punjabpolice.gov.in" empowers citizens to submit their complaint online without even going to the police station.

DGP Gaurav Yadav has also reinforced the Punjab Police's zero-tolerance policy towards corrupt officials, also known as "black sheep," within the department. "Punjab Police is the only department where anyone indulging in wrongful activities will have to face the law," he emphasised.

Meanwhile, the DGP also inaugurated the newly constructed Gazetted Officers’ Mess at Police Lines, Jalandhar.

BOX: DGP GAURAV YADAV MAKES SURPRISE VISIT AT JALANDHAR’S RAMA MANDI POLICE STATION

Earlier in the morning, DGP Gaurav Yadav made a surprise visit to Police Station Rama Mandi in Jalandhar, where he inspected the facilities and interacted with police personnel. He emphasised the importance of diligence and accountability in ensuring prompt administration of justice, while also reviewing ongoing case management.

During his visit, the DGP took the opportunity to taste the food served at the police station mess, displaying his commitment to understanding the everyday experiences of his personnel. This unannounced inspection is part of the DGP's ongoing efforts to boost police efficiency and transparency.