First make woman complainant feel comfortable: ADGP to cops

Phillaur : A woman complainant needs to be offered a glass of water and a comfortable seat and only then the concerned police officer should hear her complaint. She needs to feel comfortable before narrating her story and the police officers must create that ‘extra’ comfort level in their police stations.

S K Sharma, ADGP (Punjab) and secretary, task force for police reforms, said this while sensitising the police officers from across the state at Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, recently.

Police officers admitted that the field officers at times adopt a casual approach, and said they need to be sensitive towards the women.

Sharma said they would be recommending to the state government that all state benefits like use of driving licence, passport, ration card and voter card should be withdrawn from those accused chargesheeted in rape or other heinous crimes against women.

He said they would also recommend creation of all-women police stations in every district headquarter. Besides, three-four women police employees need to be posted in every police station who can be there to listen to the complaints of women.

“This can provide the women complainants a comfort level to voice their problems. If needed, we also need to sensitise the women officers, and we need not be judgemental,” he added.