The Hindu : Teaching woman constables new tricks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 06, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Teaching woman constables new tricks

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DEC. 5. The Police Training College (PTC) here is at present playing host to woman police constables (WPCs) who are learning a new set of skills to match pace with male officers in the line of duty.

Stress-busting is a major thrust of the course and the WPCs are being given crash courses in yoga and meditation techniques that would help them focus their faculties better and work cheerfully even under the most trying circumstances.

The Principal (Police Training College), K. Padmakumar, says the course has been designed for the benefit of women constables who were recruited before 2000.

``Some of the WPCs are those who have joined service way back in 1972 and 1973 and have several more years to go. The course is aimed at bridging the gap between the better-trained new WPCs and those of the old batches,'' he says.

Not to be left behind, the WPCs of the State police are being initiated into territories which were earlier considered the sole preserve of male officers. For till yesterday, the WPCs were detailed mostly for removing women protestors or prisoner escort duties alone. Today, their horizons are expanding.

The day is not far off when women would be on the field along with men, busting thieves and burglars.

For the first time, the WPCs are being trained in investigation of theft, robbery and property cases. They are put through practical sessions where the women are taught to question suspects and record their statements.

Mr. Padmakumar points out that it is only in Kerala that women are not deployed for active police duties.

"Why, in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and New Delhi you have women acting as Station House Officers. They are in the forefront of lathicharges as well murder investigations. Some also form part of police anti-terrorist and SWAT teams,'' he says.

Many are also of the opinion that detailing women for police station duty would be a definite step towards making Station Houses more people friendly. "The barrack atmosphere prevalent in men-only police stations would give way to a more sober and less intimidatory ambience once woman constables grace the stations,'' says a senior lawyer.

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Teaching woman constables new tricks