Police constable ‘most abused’ part of force: Chidambaram

“Police system is outdated. Police are ill-trained,ill-equipped and ill-paid,” said Chidambaram,talking about the challenges to internal security.

The Minister further said the Police Constable,“who works for 12 to 14 hours a day throughout the year is the most abused” part of the machinery.

“Everyone believes that he (Constable) can be bullied,or cajoled or bribed… he is the most reviled public servant,” Chidambaram said delivering the fourth Nani Palkhiwala Memorial lecture here.

“Self-esteem of average policeman is very low,” he said. “And this average Police Constable is a frontline force for the internal security,” he stated,adding that when occasion demands,“he rises to great heights”.

Chidambaram paid tributes to Tukaram Ombale,a Mumbai Police Constable killed during November 26 terror attack here while capturing Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab alive.

Saying that the Constable lives in a “very different cultural milieu and brings his culture to the workplace”,Chidambaram remarked that there was a very “feeble attempt to improve his behaviour or attitude”.