Cops should keep their cool during protests

Crowd management is a psychological warfare. Police are constantly aware that maintaining law and order is their job. When protests take place suddenly, police are apprehensive that things could go out of control quickly. They may feel it is better to suppress an agitation rather than take a chance on it going off peacefully. However, it could backfire on the police. When people are protesting emotive issues, you cannot underestimate their anger. They are appealing directly to the government or government agencies to look at the issue and set it right or settle it amicably. When people are protesting on environmental issues or on the location of a TASMAC shop, they have genuine concerns over their welfare. When people do not receive Metro Water or if the supply in PDS outlets is inadequate, they will want to find a platform from which they can protest. They feel these are things that affect their daily life. 

Police should understand what people want—that is easy to read, rather than fearing that mob fury could break out at any time and coming down heavily on protesters by wielding the lathi. Hitting ordinary protesters is unpardonable. Instead, police should show restraint. They should also try and engage in talks with the people. No one seems to be doing that anymore. Peacetime parleys are extremely important, and they are in fact a good weapon for the police, in the sense that it helps build a bridge between the two entities who would at some point or the other in life, come to be on two different sides of an issue. If there is a confrontation between the residents and the police, the rapport built with the residents would come in handy to resolve the issues. 

In the past, officers like me used to personally listen to those who came with a petition to the Commissioner’s office. Many of us would visit other police stations. The men in khaki in most police stations were also known to enjoy a rapport with the people of their locality. That is why the police and armed forces have a defined hierarchy. The police force is well structured from the beat constable to DGP, and one can petition them at various points. The relationship between the police and people should be such that both feel they are on the same page. It should not be one of us versus them. 

Today, if there is a feeling of distrust, it is not a difficult task to set things right. First, local police should be a familiar face and name to a few people from every strata of society in a neighbourhood. Police should engage in talks with residents and go rounds during peace time, and not treat it as a relaxation period before some VIP bandobast work descends upon them. When people have an opinion of cops as being approachable, they will be in a better frame of mind to listen to the police and are more likely to disperse quietly. 

Second, proper planning for any contingency is important. If people are protesting, ensure you deploy more women police. Most people feel less acrimonious towards female cops. Third, conduct training sessions for police personnel, often. Instill in them the motto that tongues should talk, and not the lathi. 

Police need to learn that when they beat the public in an unprovoked manner, they are exposing their own inner fears. It is unpardonable for any policeman to slap or beat a woman, no matter what the provocation. When there has been no provocation, police brutality is completely condemnable. Strict action should be taken against such officers. Police should not give room to extraneous agencies to lecture them on conduct.