Police make a beginning but still have miles to go

Mumbai’s first women senior police inspectors and police drivers may have taken up their new assignments but the force has a long way to go. Barely 7 per cent of its current workforce comprises women,in spite of a 30 per cent reservation in government services.

Speaking on the occasion of International Women’s Day,additional chief secretary (Home) Chandra Iyengar said it was regrettable that in cities like Mumbai,too,the proportion of women in the force remains low. The Home Department was conducting simultaneous recruitment for the constabulary across the state on Monday.

“Of the 15,000 odd posts,30 per cent reservation would mean about 3,000 policewomen. However,currently,there are only 7 per cent women in the police force,” said Iyengar.

“It is not just about recruiting women. They bring in an attitude at work. We need to have the strength of the women.”