Women cops on bikes will now patrol Delhi
New Delhi, capital and "rape capital", now has an all-women bike team, who will patrol the roads till late in the evening to ensure safety of women. In the first phase of the project, three two-cop teams have been deployed in the South Campus and near the RK Puram police station. The number of teams and the area covered will keep on increasing.
'Will ensure fewer petty crimes too'
"These personnel…would interact with the local women and keep an eye on miscreants. This would ensure fewer incidents of snatching and other petty crimes. Women and girls can approach them to seek advice on safety and self-defence as well," said Additional DCP (south) Chinmoy Biswal.
Women roped in over image makeover bid
In recent times, Delhi-NCR has gone all-out to give its women personnel a more proactive role, whether in security or elsewhere. In February, Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik roped in women public facilitation officers to act as the first point of contact at police stations. They were trained to handle complaints sensitively. It was also done to make women feel comfortable while approaching cops.
Gurugram gifts its women cops 50 scooters
In March, Gurugram police decided to give its women personnel 50 scooters to ease patrolling and providing assistance to those in need. A cop said earlier they had to depend on the PCR vans, but scooters will now help them independently to carry out duties.
However, male personnel need to be sensitized too
These changes come not a moment too soon. Last month, the DCW noted only 9% of Delhi Police was female. However, roping in women is not enough. Men have to be sensitized to needs of women too. During the Ramjas controversy, male cops were caught on camera grabbing and punching female students. It is high time women's safety is accorded the priority it deserves.
