JOIN USThe public anger post the shameful 16/12 gang-rape was largely directed at the policing failure in the Capital.
But, the government’s indifference towards bringing the much needed police reforms, despite scores of commission reports and a landmark Supreme Court judgment, is reflected in the way the issue has been treated over the years.
The Supreme Court verdict, in response to a PIL filed by former UP DGP Prakash Singh, stated the need for sweeping changes in the policing to not only insulate it from the politicians but also to make the uniformed men professional and people friendly, which also requires respecting women.
Six years have gone by after the order was passed, but states have so far failed to implement it in totality.
Several internal security experts and retired police officers, however, were of the opinion that there is need for the police to become more gender-sensitive which gives confidence to the women to come out and report crimes against them.
Former director-general of the BSF Ajay Raj Sharma said that the constabulary is imparted during their nine month training to make them gender sensitive but that is “not enough”.
Sharma, who was also Delhi police commissioner, suggested that emphasis on making them sensitive to women’s issues should be enhanced during the training and a fair amount of marks should earmarked on questions focusing on such police-public interface.
He was also of the view that frequent refresher courses should be made mandatory for the constables, sub-inspectors and inspectors, which does not happen owing to manpower shortage.