Kovai police station ‘SMART’est in country; Anna Nagar PS in city makes it to top 5

It sports the look of a corporate style office, thanks to its posh interiors with a waiting room for visitors and a crèche for children to play. This unique station has now become a matter of pride for the TN police as it has won the Ministry of Home Affairs’ trophy for the best police station in the country in the category of ‘SMART’ police stations. The SMART Police (S-Sensitive and Strict; M-Modern with Mobility; A- Alert and Accountable; R- Reliable and Responsive; T- Trained and Techno-savvy) concept was announced by the Centre.

As one enters the premises, a reception officer in civil dress receives the public. The reception officer, who has a cabin, listens to the complaints and guides the people on how to solve the issue. Those who want to meet senior officers are sent to a spacious waiting room that has chairs with a teapoy and newspapers. The station also has a crèche for children.“Many women bring along children to the AWPS wing of the station. The kids can spend time at the creche without having to participate in the gruelling sessions,” a senior cop said.

CCTVs have been installed in and around the station to monitor staff behaviour and the visitors. The station is differently abled friendly as well. “The station has been chosen based on 80 parameters,” said T Jothi, inspector (law and order), RS Puram station. He received the award from Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the all India conference of Director Generals/ Inspector Generals of Police held at BSF Academy Tekanpur in Madhya Pradesh. A senior police officer in Coimbatore said plans are afoot to upgrade other police stations on a par with RS Puram police station.

Coimbatore City Police Commissioner K Periaiah said, “It is team work which has brought in honour for TN police.”

Public opinion for Anna Nagar PS: With the K-4 Anna Nagar police station being adjudged as the fifth best police station in the country by the Union Home Ministry, policemen said on Sunday that residents’ feedback played a pivotal role in the achievement. Officials from Quality Control of India, Hyderabad, conducted an inspection at the police station and verified the records.

They also conducted a survey of 50 people from the locality about the police behaviour and based on their feedback, marks were given. High number of preventive detentions and nil murder cases in the last one year were factors that worked in its favour. Facilities for visitors were bettered and the maintenance of the station had been improved.

“The credit goes to everyone. We are all proud of it,” said a sub-inspector.