DGP LOKNATH BEHERA CANDID ABOUT MODERNIZING THE POLICE FORCE
DGP Loknath Behera adds another feather to his cap as he assumes his new position as the quintessence of Kerala Police Administration. A man of eminence and honour who has served the country for three decades now, his competence requires no comparison as he was the first officer from National Investigation Agency (NIA) to receive the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service in 2009, while he was posted as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in NIA. Under his long stint with the CBI, Behera has handled several sensitive and sensational cases across the country. His top priority is to curb the growing rate of crime in the State. He also aims to increase the technology footprint in the Police system by introducing latest technology for timely and accurate
investigation. Loknath Behera’s optimistic nature is prerequisite for an highly educated and constantly evolving people of Kerala. FWD Media meets with Kerala’s new Man of Honour whose vision is to make Kerala Police the best in the country.
What is the current state of modernisation in the police force? Is there a thrust to enhance the use of technology?
For me, modernization of the police force does not mean buying modern equipment only. I want to modernize the process with the use of technology. My view is that if we modernize, we will be more accurate and our workload will be less and we can increase our productivity. The basic concept is to find out how we can modernize the processes which the police are now following, whether it is beat patrol, crime investigation, law and order issues or traffic management. There are plenty of emerging technologies which can be used. Unfortunately, we are far behind in some areas
when compared to even some developing or under-developed states. We have to become the best technology-driven policing state in the country. For this, we have planned modernization programs in every field of police work so that we can give better services to the people and our police officers would be happy to perform these duties.
Speaking about the use of technology, the role CCTV cameras play in providing evidence in the case of investigations is of paramount importance. How equipped is the state in this regard?
Kerala has a large number of CCTV cameras, since it is mostly urbanized or semi-urbanized. There are only two main problems I see regarding our infrastructure. The first problem is when it’s IP-based cameras, there are problems with its bandwidth. If the bandwidth is good, then we get good transmission; otherwise the camera does not serve any purpose. The second problem with Kerala is the heavy rain. We require failproof casing which is expensive. Not withstanding any of this, we have conceptualized a state traffic monitoring enforcement .
It may come up in Trichur. We have had a talk with the transport department. In the years to come, we will increase the CCTV surveillance to improve the sense of security as well as in establishing law and order.
There has been a recent call to integrate databases, such as Aadhar, to help fight crime in a better way. What are your thoughts on the issue?
As far as integrating databases of people to the Aadhar is concerned, these issues are governed by law. Some of the things related to sharing of databases is not possible because privacy issues are involved. It will take some time to make an integrated database on all available platforms. There are some situations where we need to access the data. At present such situations are not there. But as and when there is an investigational lead, we can approach the Aadhar authorities to get the required details. There are some rank prohibitions which have to be taken into consideration while doing this.
Migrant labourers who come to Kerala in search of work have been in the news for a spate of reasons. While some are worried about the increase in crime, there is also concern about the plight of their living conditions. How do you view the situation?
I receive a lot of questions regarding migrant labourers which have to be approached with care. I’m not sure of the exact number, but I was told that the number of migrant labourers in the state are about 40 – 50 lakhs involved in different fields of activity. Some are in construction, others in petroleum, and so on. We don’t get people from our state for such kind of jobs. So what would happen if these people do not come? There are some people, who come in as migrant labourers having criminal tendencies or a criminal past. Recently, we had picked up two militants from Kollam. We are certainly concerned. But we should not jump into a particular situation which will be ultra vires. India is a free country and anyone can go to any place to work. So how do we actually do control them? The other part is that we also have to look after their welfare. They are also citizens of this country and are living under the poverty line. We are under discussion with the stakeholder departments on the issue. We are looking to apply a solution that would be better for all concerned, such as implementing a register of employment. If some mishap takes place, we can identify the individual and the family concerned without any difficulty.
With growing attacks on women, what steps are the police taking to provide women a sense of safety and security when they venture out alone?
Women’s safety and security is a very important subject and while Kerala is safer compared to many other states, women in Kerala of all ages feel insecure while travelling or going out alone. We have to do something to bring a sense of security among them. Also, if something were to happen, we need to have a good response mechanism to redress their grievances quickly. We are planning to have an integrated and modern approach, which would include different types of patrolling, different technology to capture images and evidence. All these things are in the stage where we have to work with the scientific community, social scientists and various NGOs. This is one of the priorities of the government. I cannot disclose the details as we are still in the process of consolidating the details. In the area of women’s safety and security, we are also sensitizing our officers in this regard.
The fitness levels of the police have come under scrutiny in recent time? What are the steps being taken to improve the fitness level of the police force?
Regarding the fitness of the police force, we have decided to have digitized medical records for all the police officials. This will be conducted with the help of the health department so that we have
regular medical check-ups taking place every three or four months and in some categories, every six months so that they are also keeping a tab on their health and they can treat themselves properly. We have almost structured as to how the medical history sheet will be kept in the system of their respective offices so that they can check and take the necessary remedies. There is a medical insurance scheme which is pending with the government which we are going to restructure and re-introduce.
What is your vision for the police force of the state of Kerala?
Kerala is God’s own country. People are mostly educated and lawabiding. There is very little violence in the society. But people are also demanding. I would like my officers to be more service oriented. I always say that working as a police officer is not a job; it’s a service. My first job is to change the attitude of the police towards their work to become more people-centric.
They should do their work without any fear or favour. But if there is any discretion to be used when executing their power, it should be for the benefit of the poorest of the poor who will be in need of that. Otherwise, no one should be favoured. Actions should be taken strictly based on the law. This is what I’m trying to do.
Priority-wise there are a number of things I would like to do – whether it’s related to technology or setting up various institutions or changing the system of training given here and making the system more pragmatic and people oriented. I would like to teach students regarding cybercrime. I have a number of plans. Let me see what I can do. Kerala Police should be the no.1 police force in the country in every aspect.
DGP Loknath Behera’s 16 years extensive experience of working with the CBI and NIA will bring in a plethora of advantage in the Police Administration of Kerala State, creating proper vigilance towards women safety and security and bringing in CBI style scientific investigating procedure, modernization of the Police Force through technology, discipline and corruption free system. Earlier as the Director of Kerala Fire & Rescue Services, Behera received accolades for bringing in transparency to the Fire Service department. He started on the drafting a new Kerala Fire Force Act to incorporate IT into making the system automated and transparent. He introduced the Fire Safety Awareness classes to teach fire safety which was appreciated.
Loknath Behera is determined to achieve his vision and this determination is pragmatic to accomplish his visionary role as the Director General of Police (Law & Order) of Kerala.
Text: Sangheeta Bhattacharya & Anish Shanker
Photos: Jinson Abraham
Styling : Lakshmi Babu
Retouch: Jithin Mohan
Makeup: Subi Ganesh