JOIN USWhatsApp Nos to help bridge police-public gap
The public can now WhatsApp senior police officers on any issue related to policing. Designated mobile numbers have been provided to officials for the purpose. The new numbers have become operational from Tuesday.
There are 10 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) in as many divisions in the city. The city police control room has also been given a dedicated WhatsApp.
Complaints on the control room phone will be transferred to the concerned zonal DCP for action. There already exist informal groups of inspectors with Residents Welfare Associations, shopkeepers, social activists and others in their jurisdictional limits.
“This was done after we found that more number of people are using WhatsApp. It is an effort to bridge the gap between the police and the public. The new numbers will help in quick action,” said an officer. These new numbers will be used for only WhatsApp and no text messages or calls will be entertained.
The numbers will be displayed on the nameboard in front of every police station, along with the city police Twitter handle id and the official email id, he said.
Instant response
The Bengaluru city police, who gained immense popularity when the official Twitter and Facebook pages were launched, hope to get an instant response on WhatsApp.
WhatsApp messages will be checked by the DCPs and they will direct the personnel concerned to visit the spot or attend to the complaint. The police will respond to the complainant with a message. It is an easy process for the people as there is no need for them visit the station, unless the nature of the complaint is serious, said another senior police officer.