Belagavi beat system set to streamline policing in state

All district police and police commissionerates in the state will adopt the Belagavi model of new beat system for better functioning from April 1.

In a standing order dated March 24, DG&IGP Rupak Kumar Dutta directed all SPs and police commissioners to implement the system from April 1 and submit action taken report before April 15.

The system was introduced by the Belagavi police in January 2016, which produced good results. During his visit to Chikkodi in November 2016, Home Minister G Parameshwara analysed the system and declared it would be introduced across the state.

“The system will change the very face of policing,” B R Ravikanthegowda, SP, Belagavi district - who was instrumental in introducing the system - told DH.

The Belagavi police also made a presentation before Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who directed then DG&IGP Om Prakash to implement the system that empowers constables, ensures people friendly policing and boosts community policing.

The British introduced the beat system in India, aimed at collection of information and lacked people’s participation. The modified beat system was introduced in 2009, which failed due to its improper organisation and lack of empowerment of the constables.

Residents from different villages were nominated for the beat, while a constable was assigned 10 villages to cover. Hence, frequents meetings did not take place. The Belagavi district police improvised the beat system.

Every village is a beat in the new system. A constable or a head constable is appointed for the beat. He performs the duties of a sub-inspector. About 50 village residents belonging to different castes, classes and age groups will be beat members.

The constable is authorised to serve summons, warrants, complete police verifications, enquire on complaints, investigate cases, review rowdy elements and gather intelligence inputs. The beat meetings will take place at least once a month. The constable is empowered to discuss civic issues also.

“About 90 % of the police force forms constabulary. Under the system, every constable will be assigned a beat and responsibilities,” Dutta told DH.

Reduction in area
“Pressure on inspectors is reduced as constables are empowered. Currently, a handful of constables are assigned beats, covering specific areas. Size of the area will be reduced for a constable, which will ensure effective policing,” he said.

Websites of district police units and commissionerates will have names of constables, beats assigned to them and their contact numbers to help public for easy contact.

After the new beat system, 8,112 public meetings were organised between 2015 and 2016 all over Belagavi district, while no such meeting had taken place the previous year. There was 100% result in petition enquiries, character and antecedent verifications, passport verification, participation of beat officers in investigation and against illegal activities.