In a bid to enhance accountability and ensure better service delivery, the Chennai City Police have introduced a star rating system for their inspectors. This initiative, spearheaded by Commissioner A Arun, aims to improve overall performance across the city’s police force.
Commissioner Arun has outlined his top priorities, focusing on curbing rowdyism, controlling crime, and regulating traffic. Since taking charge on July 7, his team has made significant strides, apprehending over 325 active rowdies within the city.
The new rating system, designed to objectively assess inspectors, takes into account various criteria. These include their responsiveness to the public, case-solving abilities, conviction rate, and the effective handling of non-bailable warrants. Inspectors will be awarded a rating ranging from zero to five stars based on their performance.
Senior officers, including Assistant Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners, will be responsible for monitoring and appraising these ratings before submitting them to the Commissioner. A police officer revealed that inspectors receiving less than two stars will face transfer.
Commissioner Arun has also convened a meeting with senior officers above the rank of Assistant Commissioner, instructing them to gather details about police personnel who have been stationed in the city for over three years. This initiative seeks to ensure a dynamic and effective police force.
This rating system draws inspiration from a similar system previously implemented by former Police Commissioner Letika Saran and Additional Commissioner S R Jangid. The previous system recognized top performers with cash rewards and certificates. Retired DGP Jangid highlighted the effectiveness of the previous rating system, stating it ensured objectivity and provided positive feedback, ultimately leading to improved performance.
In addition to the rating system, Chennai Police have introduced a new alert system with specific protocols for various threat levels. The police control room will issue a red alert for terrorist threats, a yellow alert for rowdy elements hiding in a locality, and an orange alert for chain snatching incidents.
These alerts trigger specific actions. For a red alert, officers from the rank of inspector to additional commissioners must seal off a 5-km radius around the location. The area for yellow and orange alerts will be cordoned off on a smaller scale. This layered approach aims to ensure a swift and effective response to different security threats.
The implementation of this comprehensive system, combining both performance evaluation and a tiered alert system, demonstrates Chennai Police’s commitment to creating a safer and more secure city for its residents.
