Our intelligentsia and leaders of all descriptions would be at their eloquent best when referring to the qualities of head and heart of the English policemen and how we stand to gain by following their practices. Some dashing personalities amongst such leaders and other do-gooders who are found of doing business the American way would often gratefully mention the exploits of "Kojak" or "Hawaii Five O" characters and bemoan the inabilities of our helpless policemen.

One may not be able to understand the nuances of the understated English language and the underlying characteristics of the phlegmatic English culture while extolling the virtues of English policemen. This is perfectly understandable. One may also be excused for failing to differentiate between real life situations in the west and the celluloid fantasies that we come across in the cinema and television.

There is, however, no denying that we need examples and role model to emulate so that there is, at last, some perceptible positive change in our lamentably under-performing police behaviour. Therefore, when the myths and realities of distant shores have apparently failed to strike a responsive chord, how about a change of direction in our quest for role model and trend-setters? Shall we strive to look nearer home and find out if there are inspiring flashes to benefit from? Thoughts of such dimension may perhaps compel the well-wishers of our polity and the police to study in-depth the marvelous achievements of some outstanding police officials of India. These achievements are now internationally acclaimed and recognised. It is, however, the commonality of culture that we share with India than the achievement and acclaims of the individual officers, that should motivate us to venture into a study of their experience and decide how we may benefit.

This writer has in mind the accomplishments of Mrs Kiran Bedi, the now -- famous India police service officer who is fondly talked about in many Indian homes. This itself is a very significant achievement as sub-continental policemen and politicians rarely figure favourably in popularity ratings. It may be news to our frustrated and dampened police officials to know that in an exclusive opinion poll conducted by the 'The Week' in September, 2000, Kiran Bedi ranked fifth amongst the ten 'Most Admired Indians' in a galaxy of personalities that included, among others, Atal Behari Vajpayee, Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar. This, undoubtedly, is an elevating scenario that should propel our officials to be proactive and innovative.

It would perhaps be sufficient to recount a few important achievements of Mrs Bedi to understand the compulsions of our enforcement imperatives and the strategy of success.

Delhi traffic and Asian Games, 1982As Deputy Commissioner, Traffic, Delhi Police she made her mark quite early. It became a common sight for the Delhi motorists to see Kiran Bedi on the road every day, pointing out traffic irregularities in specific cases. Her voice over the loudspeaker made an impression upon the motorists that a male voice could not have done.

Co-ordination was and remains a key element in any traffic management. Mrs Bedi suggested that actual behaviour patterns of the motorists could be seen and verified only on the roads. It was agreed and a chartered bus would take all concerned to make on the spot decisions and corrections. In this way, the 'government on wheels' acted as a homogeneous team and the usual inter-depart-mental squabbles and lack of co-ordination were eliminated.

The bane of Delhi traffic was wrong parking and this one factor was a major cause of traffic snarl-ups. Mrs Bedi pressed several cranes into action in order to tow away the offending vehicles to the nearest police station. Soon she earned the sobriquet of 'Crane Bedi'. She started spot fining the offending vehicles. In August 1982 even Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's car (No DHI 1817) was challenged for wrong parking and towed away by a crane. The action of the officer on spot was backed and supported. We may have to learn from this.

The 'Indian Express', on conclusion of 'Asian Games, 1982' commented............... "In the end, the greatest triumph was the way the traffic was kept moving during the games, particularly during the closing ceremony and the opening day. The police authorities deserve to be complimented".

Novelty of methods
For effective interaction between police and the public, a system of setting up beat boxes was introduced. Each constable was allotted a beat box of his own who actually became a sort of community leader. Various petty offences could be reported to him and some matters could be sorted at that level. The result was less pressure on the main police station and the saving of members of public from a considerable deal of harassment. The beat boxes were erected with community sponsorship.

The beat boxes acted as deterrent scarecrows to potential law-breakers. The most important result of the system was the policemen's debut in the civic arena, as an arbiter and peace counselor. The system placed the policemen in the role of a community leader with the full backing of the neighbourhood which in turn uplifted his sagging self-esteem. Behind the system was a conviction that combating crime and keeping the peace is an activity which involves the entire community and the police can only be effective so long as they enjoy the support and cooperation of the community.

Criminal records
Mrs. Bedi under her charge in the West District Police of Delhi compiled a ready reference of criminals for use by police stations in the district. The names of persons with criminal record were listed in alphabetical order under the various sections of the penal code. The ready reference helped policemen to ascertain immediately if the suspect had any previous record and had supplemented the central record. This ready reckoner of criminals helped in evolving into a system of participative policing. Local leaders were given these lists so that people would be able to identify criminals and help variously in detecting or rehabilitating such people.

The training
Mrs. Bedi modernise the Training College and made it possible to provide state-of-the-art professional skills to the police personnel. She attached greater importance on local initiatives such as trainees welfare, a canteen, a well-stocked grocery store, a bank, a milk booth with other health foods, adequate regular water supply, proper bus transport system for the faculty etc.

On quality of training, a lot of learning of police practical work was prioritised with the focus on hands-on training and putting theory into practice. Courses were provided on gender sensitisation, white collar crimes, giving evidence in courts, adventures in attitudes. She introduced the Vipassana meditation programme for the staff as an exercise in learning to police themselves and teach themselves before the police and teach others. She made others realise that training stands for addressing the body, mind and spirit of policing and that it is not a mere vocation but an invocation to be fulfilled by humane spirit.

There are bright upright Bangladeshi police officers who can successfully embark upon bold experiments like the above. However, given the alleged politicisation of the police that started years back, given the paralyzing wage structure of the policemen and the rot within the law enforcement system, it is apprehended that crucial steps for transforming the insensitive force into a peace force may indeed be difficult.

Muhammad Nurul Huda is a former Secretary and IGP.