Dear Sabhaites and Friends,

 Please see note from Mr. Rebeiro.

 Any suggestions or inputs please send it at : president@bcsabha.org or contact@bcsabha.org.

 We could then compile the feedback and send it to Mr. Rebeiro for further action.

 What action we need to take also please respond. Time frame for response upto January 11.

 Best Regards,

Dolphy D'souza

President

THE BOMBAY CATHOLIC SABHA

9820226227

 

---- Original Message -----

From: Citizens Take Charge

Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 1:45 PM

Subject: Police Reforms

 

Dear friends,

 

You will notice from the minutes of the meeting of the Core Group of Citizens Take Charge, held on 30th December 2008 at the PCGT office, that I have been entrusted with the task of pressing for Police Reforms.  I intend to write to the Chief Minister and the Home Minister of Maharashtra, the Chief Secretary, the Addl. Chief Secretary (Home), the Director General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, asking them

1)     To drastically reduce that portion of the VIP security that serves more as a status symbol.  The security cover for politicians and ministers should be drastically reduced and diverted to normal police duties.

2)     Transfers of police officers from the rank of Constables to Deputy Superintendent of Police in the districts and Constable to Deputy Commissioner of Police in Mumbai City should be left entirely to departmental superiors.  There should be no interference from government in such transfers unless there are genuine complaints, in which case the senior officers concerned need to be disciplined.  At present, political interference in transfers of subordinates has politicized the police to the detriment of public interest.  Subordinate policemen should know who their real leader is and should not look up to politicians for patronage.  This step alone will curb corruption as officials and men seek posts which are more lucrative.

A suitable change in the rules governing such transfers will have to be effected and if you all agree I will write to these authorities on your behalf.  This is the first and foremost of the Police Reforms which needs to be implemented to make the police more professional and people-friendly.  Of course, the choice of key police leaders has to be transparent in order to entrust responsibility to officers of integrity and competence.  This, too, will be brought to the notice of the authorities.

3)     There should be no political interference in investigation of crime.  Any rules that will need to be amended to ensure this will also find place in my letter.  Investigations are supervised by the courts according to the law and this is as it should be.  If there is any injustice in the investigations there are departmental superiors who can address it or if that too fails the matter can be agitated in the legislatures or in the courts but under no circumstances should politicians guide the investigation and weaken the rule of law.

 

Kindly revert within a week as there is no time to lose.

 

With regards,

 

JULIO RIBEIRO