By IANS,
Delhi: Saying that the constable is the face of the government in rural India, President Pranab Mukherjee has urged police to be sensitive to public concerns and complaints.
“A large majority of people form their opinion of the government based on the response to their concerns and efficiency of policemen,” the president said in his address to the 47th conference of the DGPs, IGs of states/UTs police, heads of the Central Armed Police Forces and Central Police Organisations Friday.
“The police should keep in mind the government’s welfare and development responsibilities and should function as a service organisation, and not merely as a force,” he added.
The president told the senior police officials that grievances of common people should never be ignored.
“While it may not be possible to solve all problems, most of the time a patient hearing, empathy and an honest effort on the part of police would lead to considerable improvement in the overall image of the police force as well as the government,” the president said.
Asking police officials to remain vigilant against violations of human rights and take prompt action whenever a grievance relating to human rights is brought to their attention, the president said that by doing this they could win the confidence of the public.