New Delhi: In an attempt to mainstream women police officers and provide them with the freedom to perform duties their male counterparts do, the Hyderabad police has launched the inaugural ‘Women On Wheels’ patrol teams.
This is the second women-centric initiative that the Hyderabad police have undertaken as part of the ‘We Can’ campaign. The first initiative saw the police set up mobile toilets for female police officers who are deployed on duty across the city.
Commissioner Anjani Kumar and Actress Mehreen at the event. Credit: Hyderabad City Police Twitter
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Shikha Goel, additional commissioner of police, said that 47 women officers were handpicked for this task. She also said they have undergone two months of intensive training in unarmed combat, driving and other technical necessities. Each police officer will be given a tablet to respond to any emergency distress calls.
The officers were provided extensive training in unarmed combat. Credit: Hyderabad police/Twitter
In the first phase of the initiative, one team will function per division of city police. The teams would be used for crime prevention, emergency response, community policing and creating awareness Goel said at the event.
The first batch of officers. Credit: Hyderabad police/Twitter
Women On Wheels, moving with confidence, creating awareness @AddlCPCrimesHyd pic.twitter.com/WK1nhpqpM7
— M. Ramesh IPS (@DCPEASTZONE) December 13, 2018
She also said that the Hyderabad police would expand the initiative. In the next phase, it would include several other police stations with at least one team from each police station in the city. The eventual integration of ‘Women on Wheels’ into the Hyderabad Police’s ‘Blue Coats’ patrol is part of the plan.
Shikha Goel speaking at the initiative’s launch. Credit: Hyderabad police/Twitter
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The Hyderabad police has a history of undertaking unconventional methods to serve the city’s populace. In a report released by the National Crime Records Bureau in 2017, Hyderabad city stood at 14th place out of 19 Indian Metropolitan cities in terms of IPC crimes between 2014 and 2016. The police has an active social media presence. From the city police commissioner to individual police stations, each have their own Twitter handles and respond to citizens’ queries.
The police officers near Tank Bund in Hyderabad. Credit: Hyderabad police/Twitter
Soon after the formation of a separate Telangana state, the Hyderabad police formed ‘She Teams’ in October 2014 for the protection of women in the city. In what was billed as the first of its kind initiative in the country, 100 teams tackle issues ranging from harassment, usually referred to as ‘eve-teasing’, to child marriages across the city.
Women police officers on bikes near Charminar. Credit: Hyderabad police/Twitter
Few teams are deployed in areas where harassment has been repeatedly reported. The teams are deployed in mufti and are directed to record footage of harassment. About seven out of ten complaints are received through WhatsApp. Once a complaint has been registered, first-time offenders are given necessary rehabilitation and counseling. Legal action like imprisonment and fine is slapped on repeat offenders.
‘Women on Wheels’ being flagged off from Charminar.
Credit: Hyderabad City Police Twitter.
In 2016, the city police launched the ‘Bharosa’ initiative to provide a helping hand to victims of sexual and psychological harassment by facilitating empathetic interaction. Victims are referred to exclusive ‘Bharosa’ support centers where a preliminary inquiry is initiated with the help of local police, NGOs and SHGs.