Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Apr 27: With an aim to boost safety, the Dakshina Kannada police department on Monday April 27 launched a helpline for women, children and senior citizens at the officer of superintendent of police (SP) here.
The helpline 1098, which is linked to missing child bureau also, was launched by SP Dr Sharanappa.
Addressing reporters, he said, "This helplines has been launched in coordination with various departments and NGOs. This is a comprehensive effort to respond to the people's problems.
"People coming here to complain can also avail vehicle facility if they want to go to other departments or places in connection to their complaint. Giving importance to community policing, the department has taken various steps after interacting with the public for maintaining peace, harmony and safety of public," he said.
"Several workshops have been conducted to boost professionalism in the police department. Meetings have also been conducted at station levels," he added.
He informed that staff from NGOs will be available to answer the helpline calls from 10 am to 5.30 pm every day. The SP office, where the helpline is located, will be open round the clock to respond to calls.
Replying to a question on rape cases, he said, "During 2013, 26 rape cases were reported in Dakshina Kannada and in 2014, 42 cases of rape were reported. This increase was mainly due to the change in the definition of rape. About 50 percent of such cases are related to love affairs."
To a question on cyber crime, he said, "The police are monitoring, it is a part of surveillance. Training to handle cyber crimes is being provided at PSI level."
Regarding recruitment of police personnel, he said that 10 women constables and 40 male personnel have been recruited to Dakshina Kannada police department. Out of the 10 women recruited, 9 are locals, and among the men, only 7 are locals. He said this was because locals among the policemen were 'unwilling' to be recruited here.
"The nature of functioning of the police department is transforming. Today, highly qualified people with double degrees are joining the department, hence we have more qualified people," he said. Incidentally, SP Dr Sharanappa himself holds a PhD in genetics and plant breeding from Indian Agriculture Research, New Delhi.